EP2119652A2 - Zufuhrvorrichtung für ein Aufzeichnungsmedium - Google Patents

Zufuhrvorrichtung für ein Aufzeichnungsmedium Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2119652A2
EP2119652A2 EP08251843A EP08251843A EP2119652A2 EP 2119652 A2 EP2119652 A2 EP 2119652A2 EP 08251843 A EP08251843 A EP 08251843A EP 08251843 A EP08251843 A EP 08251843A EP 2119652 A2 EP2119652 A2 EP 2119652A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
paper
air outlet
recording
air
feeding direction
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP08251843A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2119652B1 (de
EP2119652A3 (de
Inventor
Takashi Fukumoto
Munhisa Fuda
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ricoh Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2007228546A external-priority patent/JP4095656B1/ja
Priority claimed from JP2008012054A external-priority patent/JP5194831B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP2008012053A external-priority patent/JP5194830B2/ja
Application filed by Ricoh Co Ltd filed Critical Ricoh Co Ltd
Publication of EP2119652A2 publication Critical patent/EP2119652A2/de
Publication of EP2119652A3 publication Critical patent/EP2119652A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2119652B1 publication Critical patent/EP2119652B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
    • B65H3/60—Loosening articles in piles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
    • B65H3/48—Air blast acting on edges of, or under, articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
    • B65H2405/11—Parts and details thereof
    • B65H2405/114—Side, i.e. portion parallel to the feeding / delivering direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
    • B65H2405/15—Large capacity supports arrangements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2406/00—Means using fluid
    • B65H2406/10—Means using fluid made only for exhausting gaseous medium
    • B65H2406/12—Means using fluid made only for exhausting gaseous medium producing gas blast
    • B65H2406/122—Nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/13—Parts concerned of the handled material
    • B65H2701/131—Edges
    • B65H2701/1315—Edges side edges, i.e. regarded in context of transport
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
    • B65H2801/06—Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a recording-medium feeding device for an image forming apparatus, such as a photocopier, a printer, or a facsimile, to facilitate feeding a recording medium.
  • an image forming apparatus such as a photocopier, a printer, or a facsimile
  • a paper feeding device that feeds paper to an image forming unit or a printing unit from a bundle of paper loaded in a paper loading unit by separating the paper sheet by sheet by blowing air to the paper from an air outlet has been known for an image forming apparatus, such as a photocopier, and a printer.
  • an image forming apparatus such as a photocopier, and a printer.
  • a configuration that a nozzle opening is arranged on a part of a side fence below a passage of paper fed from a paper tray, and a pair of such nozzle openings are symmetrically arranged on a pair of side fences that are arranged opposingly to each other is known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-008656 ).
  • Another paper feeding device that includes a guide to restrict floating of paper when separating and feeding paper by blowing air is known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-321629 ).
  • Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-008656 discloses a paper feeding device that includes an air outlet 601 that blows air, a paper feeding roller 603 that fees paper, and a paper-feeding plane P.
  • the air outlet 601 is arranged vertically below the paper-feeding plane P.
  • the air outlet 601 is configured to blow air from a lateral side of a paper feeding direction indicated by an arrow D when feeding paper, and to separate a top sheet of paper from the following sheet.
  • a vertical height of the air outlet 601 is insufficient, consequently, paper cannot be kept floating.
  • Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-321629 discloses another paper feeding device that includes the air outlet 601, the paper feeding roller 603, and the paper-feeding plane P as shown in Fig. 21B .
  • the air outlet 601 further includes an upper end guide 605.
  • the air outlet 601 is formed to straddle the paper-feeding plane P vertically.
  • a top sheet of paper tends to float too high.
  • Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-321629 the paper cannot be fed with an appropriate angle to the paper feeding roller 603.
  • Paper feeding devices are often configured to use paper other than plain paper, such as coated paper, art paper, films, and the like, because of recent diversification of variations of paper. Particularly when using paper other than plain paper, the conventional paper feeding devices cannot feed paper appropriately to an image forming unit due to two problems described above. Consequently, there is a possibility that faulty paper feeding by the paper feeding device gives an adverse effect on forming image.
  • To feed paper at an appropriate angle means to keep an angle of a sheet of paper to be appropriate to a paper feeding roller or a reverse roller of the paper tray in the description herein.
  • the paper-feeding plane P means a plane P in the horizontal direction in contact with the bottom of the paper feeding roller 603.
  • a recording medium feeding device that feeds a recording medium by separating loaded recording media sheet by sheet.
  • the recording medium feeding device includes an air outlet that blows air to the recording media from a lateral side with respect to a direction of feeding the recording-medium, the air outlet being formed cross a recording-medium feeding plane.
  • the air outlet is formed such that an upper edge in an upstream of the recording-medium feeding direction is higher than an upper edge in a downstream of the recording-medium feeding direction.
  • a recording medium feeding device that feeds a recording medium by separating loaded recording media sheet by sheet.
  • the recording medium feeding device includes an air outlet that blows air to the recording media from a lateral side with respect to a direction of feeding the recording-medium, the air outlet being formed cross a recording-medium feeding plane.
  • the air outlet is formed such that a lower edge in an upstream of the recording-medium feeding direction is higher than a lower edge in a downstream of the recording-medium feeding direction.
  • the large capacity tray 400 includes a paper feeding device 100.
  • the large capacity tray 400 is connected to a lateral side of an image forming apparatus body 200.
  • the large capacity tray 400 is configured capable to load thereon a large volume of paper.
  • paper is to be fed by using the paper feeding device 100 included in the large capacity tray 400, and to be conveyed to the image forming apparatus body 200.
  • a not-shown image forming unit in the image forming apparatus body 200 then forms an image on the paper, and the paper is delivered from the image forming apparatus body 200.
  • the paper feeding device 100 can also be provided within the image forming apparatus body 200 as well as arranged on the lateral side of the image forming apparatus body 200.
  • the paper feeding device 100 includes a bottom plate 101 on which a plurality of sheets of paper is loaded. Moreover, the paper feeding device 100 includes a paper tray 102, and a paper feeding unit 103.
  • the paper tray 102 is a paper storage unit that includes the bottom plate 101.
  • the paper feeding unit 103 takes out a sheet of paper placed on the top of a bundle of paper sheet by sheet, and feeds the sheet to the image forming apparatus body 200 in the direction of an arrow D.
  • the paper tray 102 includes a pair of side fences 108 arranged on both lateral sides inside the paper tray 102.
  • the side fences 108 are width-direction regulating members that regulate the width of a bundle of sheets of paper loaded on the bottom plate 101 from lateral sides of the paper feeding direction.
  • the paper tray 102 includes an end fence 110 that presses an edge side of paper at the upstream of the paper feeding direction of sheets of paper.
  • the paper feeding device 100 includes a pair of air outlets 118 on the side fences 108 on the both sides.
  • the paper tray 102 includes a photo interrupter sensor 112, which is a detecting unit that detects an upper limit of a feeding level of a bundle of paper. Furthermore, the paper tray 102 is configured to control a paper feeding level by moving the bottom plate 101 up and down with a lifting motor M in order to avoid an unsteady paper feeding level even when a remaining quantity of paper is little. Thus, to keep conditions for separating and feeding paper constant, the paper feeding device 100 is configured to control optimization of the upper limit position of paper to keep the paper feeding position constant regardless of increase or decrease in the volume of loaded paper.
  • the paper feeding device 100 is configured to be detachable from the large capacity tray 400.
  • a user can detach the paper feeding device 100 from the large capacity tray 400 and load paper into the paper feeding device 100.
  • the paper feeding unit 103 includes a paper feeding roller 104, a separating roller 106a, and a reverse roller 106b.
  • the paper feeding unit 103 feeds paper by rotating and driving the paper feeding roller 104, the separating roller 106a, and the reverse roller 106b in accordance with respective predetermined feeding timings.
  • FIG. 3 A schematic diagram of one of the side fences 108 provided on the paper tray 102 when looking at it from a lateral side of the paper feeding direction is explained below with reference to Fig. 3 .
  • the paper tray 102 includes the air outlet 118 arranged in a vertically upper area of the side fence 108.
  • a paper pressing plate 120 is provided vertically above the air outlet 118, and configured capable to move with a blown air.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is formed to overlap with a part of the air outlet 118.
  • the air outlet 118 is formed such that a part of the air outlet 118 vertically straddles a paper-feeding plane P. More details are shown in Figs. 4 and 5 .
  • the air outlet 118 includes a first opening 130 and a second opening 132 that is arranged upstream from the first opening 130 in the paper feeding direction.
  • the first opening 130 is formed to have a level of an upper edge 130a that is arranged at a lower level than the paper-feeding plane P on which the paper feeding unit 103 feeds paper, and to extend along the paper-feeding plane P.
  • the second opening 132 is arranged upstream from the first opening 130 in the paper feeding direction, and formed to straddle the paper-feeding plane P vertically.
  • a paper feeding-direction length A of the first opening 130 is formed to be longer than a paper feeding-direction length B of the second opening 132.
  • the first opening 130 is formed such that the paper feeding-direction length is long, and a vertical width is relatively narrow. Accordingly, air can be inserted toward the center of paper, so that an effect of loosening the bundle of paper can be improved.
  • the second opening 132 blows air to a top sheet of paper vertically above the paper-feeding plane P, thereby achieving a large volume of an air flow and maintaining floating of paper.
  • the first opening 130 loosens the bundle of paper
  • the second opening 132 floats the paper. Accordingly, air reaches the center of paper, a distribution of an air pressure onto the paper is evened, so that air can be supplied between sheets of paper even when the paper is relatively large in size.
  • an obstruction 134 is formed, the volume of an air flow in the upstream of the paper feeding direction can be reduced, so that an effect of separating a top sheet of paper from the following sheets can be enhanced, and multiple-sheet feeding can be prevented. More details are shown in Fig. 5 .
  • the air outlet 118 shown in Fig. 3 includes a plurality of openings in addition to the first opening 130 and the second opening 132, and if the openings form mesh, it is understood that the total of the openings forms the air outlet 118.
  • FIG. 4 A characteristic shape of an opening of the air outlet 118 when looking at it from the lateral side of the paper feeding direction is explained below with reference to Fig. 4 .
  • paper is fed in the direction of the arrow D.
  • the air outlet 118 includes a portion that an upper edge Bx in the upstream of the paper feeding direction is vertically higher than an upper edge Ax in the downstream of the paper feeding direction. Accordingly, paper of which the bundle is loosened in the downstream of the paper feeding direction can be floated in the upstream of the paper feeding direction.
  • the air outlet 118 includes a portion that a lower edge By in the upstream of the paper feeding direction is vertically higher than a lower edge Ay in the downstream of the paper feeding direction.
  • the obstruction 134 is formed on a part of the second opening 132. As the obstruction 134 is formed, the obstruction 134 restricts the volume of an air flow in the upstream of the paper feeding direction, thereby preventing paper from floating too high in the upstream of the paper feeding direction. As the obstruction 134 restricts the air flow to the second and the following sheets of paper under the top sheet in the upstream of the paper feeding direction, the top sheet of paper can be separated from the rest of the paper.
  • an opening shape of the air outlet 118 is divided into the first opening 130 and the second opening 132. Accordingly, different volumes of air flows can be set for the first opening 130 and the second opening 132 individually. Alternatively, the first opening 130 and the second opening 132 can be integrated. In such case, the volume of an air flow blown from the air outlet 118 can be evened on the whole. Furthermore in the case where the openings are integrated, it is advantageous that openings do not need to be provided at a plurality of positions when arrangement of a not-shown air-blower fan is mechanically restricted.
  • the air outlet 118 is formed such that the lower edge By in the upstream of the paper feeding direction is vertically lower than the paper-feeding plane P. Accordingly, paper in the upstream of the paper feeding direction can be floated, so that a sheet of paper can be angled to come easily into the paper feeding unit 103.
  • the air outlet 118 is formed such that a distance Lf between the upper edge Ax and the lower edge Ay in the downstream of the paper feeding direction is shorter than a distance Lb between the upper edge Bx and the lower edge By in the upstream of the paper feeding direction. Accordingly, a larger volume of an air flow can be obtained in the upstream of the paper feeding direction, and paper is floated vertically higher in the upstream than in the downstream of the paper feeding direction, so that floating of the paper in the height direction of paper can be maintained in the upstream of the paper feeding direction.
  • each of the air outlets 118 includes the paper pressing plate 120, which is a paper pressing unit that presses a sheet of paper placed on the top of loaded paper.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is configured capable to move with a blown air around a movable shaft 123 to a side on which the paper is loaded. As shown in Fig.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is configured capable to move with a blown-air pressure to approximately 35 degrees from the side fence 108 when blowing air.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is configured so as to hang over the paper and to press a sheet of paper placed on the top of the paper from a vertically upper level with a lower end of the paper pressing plate 120 opposite to the movable shaft 123.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 can suppress floating of paper by changing an air-flow direction in the back side of the paper pressing plate 120, and directing an air flow vertically downward.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is configured to block a region of a substantially upper-half of the opening of the air outlet 118. Accordingly, a region of a substantially lower-half of the air outlet 118 is not blocked, so that air is blown.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 can be otherwise configured, as shown in Fig. 5C , to turn around the movable shaft 123 with a spring, for example, and to be biased to the paper bundle side.
  • a spring for example
  • projections 140a and 140b are provided on an upper part of the paper pressing plate 120 and an upper part of an air duct 152, respectively, and an elastic member 142 is provided to bridge the projections.
  • the elastic member 142 is a spring that has a tension in a contraction direction.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is configured capable to move with a blown-air, if start timing of lifting the bottom plate 101 is earlier than start timing of blowing air from the air outlet 118, there is a possibility that the paper pressing plate 120 is obstructed by a bundle of paper. Therefore, the start timing of blowing air from the air outlet 118 needs to be earlier than the start timing of lifting the bottom plate 101.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is configured to be biased to the paper bundle side by the elastic member 142, lifting of the bottom plate 101 can be started regardless of the start timing of blowing air from the air outlet 118.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is coupled with the elastic member 142, if pressing the paper pressing plate 120 from the paper bundle side, the paper pressing plate 120 is turned around the movable shaft 123 and retracted toward the air outlet 118. Accordingly, when adding paper into the paper tray 102, the pair of the paper pressing plates 120 is pressed and widened by the paper, so that an operation of adding paper can be performed smoothly. After paper is loaded, as the elastic member 142 has a tension in the contraction direction, the paper pressing plate 120 can turn around the movable shaft 123, and can return to the state of being biased upward.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is formed to extend along the arrow D indicating the paper feeding direction, to suppress floating of a top sheet of paper, and to cover a part of the air outlet 118, and changes an air-flow direction to the paper. In such case, air flows differently depending on a position of the air outlet 118 in the paper feeding direction. As shown in Fig. 6A , suppose a point A as a first part, a point B as a second part, and a point C as a third part are situated on the air outlet 118 along the paper feeding direction.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is used as a unit that changes an air-flow direction.
  • an air-flow direction toward paper can be changed along the paper feeding direction of the air outlet 118 by combining the air outlet 118 and an arbitrary member appropriately.
  • a fixed member can be provided on a part of the air outlet 118.
  • a plate member can be fixedly arranged on a part of the air outlet 118 along the paper feeding direction in a slanting manner from the side fence 108.
  • the air-flow direction changing unit can be such plate member as long as the air outlet 118 changes an air-flow direction at the upstream and the downstream of the air outlet 118 in the paper feeding direction according to the configuration that the plate member arranged in a slanting manner. Furthermore, even if the air outlet 118 has a simple shape, a not-shown nozzle as an air-flow channel can be arranged vertically upward or downward along the paper feeding direction. In such case, an air-flow direction to paper can be changed at the upstream and the downstream of the paper feeding direction along the paper feeding direction of the air outlet 118 without changing the shape of the air outlet 118.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 as the air-flow direction changing unit is configured movable. Accordingly, as the paper pressing plate 120 can be retracted to the side fence 108 when not blowing air, an effect is produced such that a user can load paper more smoothly, compared with a case where the paper pressing plate 120 is fixed.
  • the air outlet 118 is formed to open vertically below the paper-feeding plane P. Accordingly, when air is blown, as the air outlet 118 opens vertically below the paper-feeding plane P, the air is blown between sheets of paper, so that a bundle of the paper can be loosened.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 presses paper from a vertically upper level. Accordingly, at the point A, an effect is obtained such that the paper is not floated too high by using the paper pressing plate 120, while the bundle of the paper is loosened with the opening of the air outlet 118.
  • a shape of the opening of the air outlet 118 is formed relatively elongate in the paper feeding direction compared with shapes at the point B and the point C. Accordingly, the bundle of paper can be loosened with a relatively strong air pressure at the point A.
  • air can be blown to paper at least at three points, namely, the point A as the first part, the point B as the second part, and the point C as the third part, so that a tip of a sheet of paper near the paper feeding unit 103 can be kept in a constant state. Accordingly, the tip of the sheet of paper near the paper feeding unit 103 flaps little, the sheet of paper can be fed at an appropriate angle.
  • the air outlet 118 is provided with the opening that is formed to straddle the paper-feeding plane P from a vertically lower area to a vertically upper area. Accordingly, when air is blown, similarly to the point A, the bundle of the paper can be loosened at first as the air is blown between sheets of the paper. As the opening is formed up to a level vertically above the paper-feeding plane P, an effect is obtained such that the paper is not lifted vertically too high because of the paper pressing plate 120 and the blown air that is changed in direction by the paper pressing plate 120, in addition to the flow of air at the point A.
  • the air outlet 118 is provided with the obstruction 134 that is formed vertically below the paper-feeding plane P.
  • a flow of air vertically above the paper-feeding plane P is substantially the same as that at the point B.
  • the obstruction 134 reduces the volume of an air flow to be blown to the second and the following sheets of paper under the top sheet. Accordingly, at the point C, the level of floating of the second and the following sheets of paper can be suppressed.
  • an air flow that is changed in direction by the paper pressing plate 120 is blown also from a vertically upper level to the top sheet.
  • the obstruction 134 prevents the second and the following sheets of paper under the top sheet from ascending too high.
  • paper of which surface is smoothed such as coated paper
  • an excellent effect of separating a top sheet of paper from the rest of the sheets can be obtained, thereby preventing multiple-sheet feeding.
  • FIG. 7 An enlarged view of relevant parts when looking at the flows of air described above from the lateral side of the paper feeding direction is described below with reference to Fig. 7 .
  • the points A to C are similar to Fig. 6A .
  • a plurality of sheets of paper including a top sheet is separated, so that the sheets of paper are floated.
  • air is blown from a vertically upper level that is further above the floated top sheet of paper, so that the levels of the sheets of paper are lowered vertically downward from the levels at the point A.
  • the volume of an air flow blown to the sheets of paper following to the top sheet is restricted, and air is still blown from the upper level above the top sheet of paper, so that the sheets of paper are at levels vertically lower on the whole than the levels at the point B.
  • an appropriate angle to the paper feeding unit 103 are kept, so that each sheet of paper can be smoothly fed.
  • a bundle of paper is loosened and sheets of paper are floated at the point A, ascending of the sheets of paper are suppressed at the point B, and separation of a top sheet of paper from the following sheets is enhanced at the point C, as a result, a curvature of the sheets of paper appropriate for feeding can be produced.
  • the points A to C are arranged in the vicinity of the air outlet 118 in a concentrated manner, air can be locally blown to a bundle of paper, so that change of an air-flow direction and separation can be performed regardless of a size of paper.
  • the paper feeding direction is a direction indicated by the arrow D.
  • the paper feeding device 100 is configured to change an air-flow direction onto paper in the paper feeding direction at the air outlet 118 as the paper pressing plate 120 is provided on the air outlet 118 shown in one of Figs. 8 to 18 .
  • Fig. 8 depicts an example of the air outlet 118 of which the lower edge By in the upstream of the paper feeding direction is vertically above the paper-feeding plane P.
  • the air outlet 118 produces a little effect of maintaining floating of a top sheet of paper.
  • the obstruction 134 is formed relatively large compared with the example shown in Fig. 4 , the second sheet of paper under the top sheet is vertically lowered to a larger extent, so that the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of separating the top sheet of paper from the second sheet.
  • Fig. 9 depicts another example of the air outlet 118 of which the lower edge By in the upstream of the paper feeding direction and the upper edge Ax in the downstream of the paper feeding direction are formed at the substantially same level. According to the example, as an air flow relatively increases in the upstream of the paper feeding direction compared with the example shown in Fig. 8 , the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of floating paper vertically upward.
  • Figs. 10A to 10C depict still other examples of the air outlet 118 of which the lower edge Ay in the downstream of the paper feeding direction and the lower edge By in the upstream of the paper feeding direction are formed at the substantially same level.
  • the paper-feeding plane P is arranged above the upper edge Ax in the downstream of the paper feeding direction.
  • a part of the opening is formed on a vertically lower level of the upstream of the paper feeding direction, and a larger volume of an air flow is obtained, consequently, the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of floating the whole sheet of paper, although separation from the second and the following sheets of paper under the top sheet is less effective in the upstream of the paper feeding direction.
  • Fig. 10B depicts an example of the air outlet 118 of which the upper edge Ax in the downstream of the paper feeding direction is formed vertically higher than the paper-feeding plane P, compared with the example shown in Fig. 10A .
  • the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of largely loosening the bundle of paper.
  • Fig. 10C depicts an example of the air outlet 118 of which an upper edge Cx in the upstream of the paper feeding direction is formed vertically lower than the upper edge Bx situated downstream from the upper edge Cx compared with the example shown in Fig. 10A , and the upper edge Ax in the downstream of the paper feeding direction is formed vertically lower than the upper edge Bx.
  • an angle of feeding a sheet of paper to the paper feeding unit 103 becomes large, however, a top sheet of paper can be lifted in a region of the upper edge Bx, so that the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of maintaining floating of the top sheet of paper.
  • Fig. 11 depicts still another example of the air outlet 118 of which a plurality of openings is formed not to overlap in the horizontal direction.
  • the air outlet 118 includes a portion having no opening, thereby producing a strong effect of preventing paper from ascending too high. Furthermore, as the obstruction 134 is formed in the upstream of the paper feeding direction, the air outlet 118 produces an excellent separation effect.
  • Fig. 12 depicts still another example of the air outlet 118 of which a part of an opening in the upstream of the paper feeding direction and a part of an opening in the downstream overlap in the horizontal direction.
  • the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of maintaining floating of the paper in the upstream of the paper feeding direction.
  • the obstruction 134 is formed in the upstream of the paper feeding direction, the air outlet 118 produces an excellent separation effect.
  • Fig. 13 depicts still another example of the air outlet 118 of which upper edge slants downward from the upstream to the downstream in the paper feeding direction.
  • the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of making a gentler inclination of a sheet of paper being fed. Accordingly, an appropriate angle of approach of a sheet of paper into the paper feeding unit 103 can be obtained.
  • the obstruction 134 is formed, a top sheet of paper can be separated from the following sheets.
  • Fig. 14 depicts still another example of the air outlet 118 of which upper edge and lower edge both slant downward from the upstream to the downstream in the paper feeding direction.
  • a part of the opening in the downstream of the paper feeding direction is formed large compared with Fig. 13 .
  • the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of loosening the bundle of paper.
  • a top sheet of paper can be separated from the following sheets.
  • the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of making a gentle inclination of paper along the inclinations of the upper edge and the lower edge to fit with angles of the upper edge and the lower edge. Accordingly, an appropriate angle of feeding paper to the paper feeding unit 103 can be obtained.
  • Fig. 15 depicts still another example of the air outlet 118 of which both upper edge and lower edge slant.
  • the air outlet 118 is formed such that its upper edge has a larger angle of inclination than its lower edge.
  • the air outlet 118 has the larger angle of inclination of the upper edge of the opening compared with the examples shown in Figs. 13 and 14 , thereby producing a strong effect of largely curving a sheet of paper. Accordingly, floating of paper in the upstream of the paper feeding direction can be maintained.
  • As a portion of the opening in the downstream of the paper feeding direction is formed relatively small, loosening of the bundle of paper can be appropriately performed, and an appropriate angle of approach of a sheet of paper into the paper feeding unit 103 can be achieved.
  • the obstruction 134 is formed, a top sheet of paper can be separated from the following sheets of paper.
  • Fig. 16 depicts still another example of the air outlet 118 of which lower edge has a larger angle of inclination than its upper edge.
  • the air outlet 118 produces a strong effect of loosening the bundle of paper.
  • a top sheet of paper can be separated from the following sheets of paper.
  • Fig. 17 depicts still another example of the air outlet 118 that is substantially similar to the example shown in Fig. 4 .
  • the upper edge of the air outlet 118 includes an inclination part in addition to the example shown in Fig. 4 .
  • the air outlet 118 according to the example shown in Fig 17 makes a gentler inclination of paper with the inclination part, and produces a strong effect of loosening the bundle of paper in the downstream of the paper feeding direction. Accordingly, an appropriate angle of feeding a sheet of paper can be achieved.
  • a top sheet of paper can be separated from the following sheets of paper.
  • the air outlet 118 is such that the upper edge in the upstream of the paper feeding direction and the upper edge in the downstream are at the substantially same level. Furthermore, a part of the opening is formed also on a vertically lower level in the downstream of the paper feeding direction. According to the example shown in Fig. 18B , the upper edge keeps the same level, while the lower edge slants downward from the upstream to the downstream. The lower edge in the upstream of the paper feeding direction is formed vertically higher than the lower edge in the downstream of the paper feeding direction. According to any one of the examples shown in Figs. 18A and 18B , as the obstruction 134 is formed in the upstream of the paper feeding direction, the air outlet 118 produces an excellent separation effect.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 is used as a unit that changes an air-flow direction.
  • an air-flow direction toward paper can be changed along the paper feeding direction of the air outlet 118 by combining the air outlet 118 and an arbitrary member appropriately.
  • a fixed member can be provided on a part of the air outlet 118.
  • a plate member can be fixedly arranged on a part of the air outlet 118 along the paper feeding direction in a slanting manner from the side fence 108.
  • the air-flow direction changing unit can be such plate member as long as the air outlet 118 changes an air-flow direction at the upstream and the downstream of the air outlet 118 in the paper feeding direction according to the configuration that the plate member arranged in a slanting manner. Furthermore, even if the air outlet 118 has a simple shape, a not-shown nozzle as an air-flow channel can be arranged vertically upward or downward along the paper feeding direction. In such case, an air-flow direction to paper can be changed at the upstream and the downstream of the paper feeding direction along the paper feeding direction of the air outlet 118 without changing the shape of the air outlet 118.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 as the air-flow direction changing unit is configured movable. Accordingly, as the paper pressing plate 120 can be retracted to the side fence 108 when not blowing air, an effect is produced such that a user can load paper more smoothly, compared with a case where the paper pressing plate 120 is fixed.
  • the air blower 500 includes a blower fan 150, and the air duct 152, which is an air-flow guiding unit that guides an air flow generated by the blower fan 150.
  • the blower fan 150 is provided outside each of the side fences 108.
  • the paper pressing plate 120 that includes the movable shaft 123 on its end, and the air outlet 118 are formed on the air duct 152. According to the embodiment, the air outlet 118 is formed such that its cross-sectional area is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the air duct 152.
  • the blower fan 150 generates an air flow from the ambient air.
  • the blower fan 150 can employ any other configuration that can generate an air flow and can change a flow of air, by using a substitute.
  • FIG. 20 depicts the paper feeding device 100 on which a pair of the air outlets 118 in the same shape, for example, as one of the shapes shown in Figs. 8 to 18 , is symmetrically arranged on the pair of the side fences 108 that is arranged opposingly to each other.
  • the air outlets 118 are arranged symmetrically on the side fences 108, air is blown from even positions onto a center C of the paper-feeding width, accordingly, an even distribution of an air pressure blown from the air outlets 118 can be achieved, and loosening of the bundle of paper can be improved.
  • the center C of the paper-feeding width is situated at the center between the side fences 108, so that air can uniformly penetrate between sheets of paper. Accordingly, the bundle of paper can be appropriately loosened.
  • An air pressure inside the paper tray 102 is increased with the blown air. Flows of air comes out from the symmetrically arranged both sides, and collide near the center of paper, and the collided flows of air blow through upstream and downstream of the paper feeding direction. Because of the phenomenon, each sheet of paper generally floats up and separates from the other sheets. As air blows in the both direction, namely, the paper feeding direction and a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction, multiple-sheet feeding can be prevented. Because air blows through upstream and downstream of the paper feeding direction, any particular pressure reducing unit does not need to be provided.
  • the air duct 152 can make higher the speed of an outer flow to a corner of the air duct 152. Accordingly, a swing can be enhanced at the side of the movable shaft 123 of the paper pressing plate 120, as a result, an air-flow direction change can be encouraged.
  • each of the side fences 108 is configured to move in an approaching direction and a departing direction with a not-shown interlock in synchronization with a pitch.
  • paper pressing members 122 that press paper are each arranged upstream and downstream to each of the air outlets 118 in the paper feeding direction.
  • the paper pressing members 122 press a bundle of paper from the lateral sides of the paper feeding direction.
  • the paper pressing members 122 are arranged to correct slanting of paper and to manage stable feeding of paper.
  • the paper pressing members 122 elastically press the both lateral-side surfaces of the paper width at a relatively vertically-upper portion of the bundle of paper.
  • the paper pressing members 122 are arranged and prevent paper from flapping and ascending, so that paper can be stably fed.
  • Each of the paper pressing members 122 is made from a plate spring.
  • a similar effect can be obtained by the paper pressing members 122 made by using Mayler (trademark), which is a polyester film, a sponge (expanded rubber), a stainless steel stick, or the like.
  • the printer 300 that includes the paper feeding device 100 explained in the embodiment can improve separation of coated paper, cardboard, and the like, which is difficult to be separated sheet by sheet.
  • the printer 300 can reduce multiple-sheet feeding, can improve stability of a delivery quality as a device, and can improve an image quality.
  • plain paper is used as a recording medium.
  • the embodiment of the present invention can provide a similar effect for coated paper, cardboard, overhead projector sheets, and the like, as well as the plain paper described above.
  • the embodiment of the present invention is effective for a bundle of piled recording media between which clinging is particularly strong.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, but also can be generally applied to devices that supply paper or recording media, for example, a device that supplies paper as an original with an auto document feeder configured to be provided in an image reading device, and a device that supplies paper as inserting paper with an inserting-paper inserting device that inserts inserting paper, such as cardboard, color paper, paper with tab, or the like, between sheets on which images have been already formed.
  • a device that supplies paper as an original with an auto document feeder configured to be provided in an image reading device and a device that supplies paper as inserting paper with an inserting-paper inserting device that inserts inserting paper, such as cardboard, color paper, paper with tab, or the like, between sheets on which images have been already formed.
  • the recording-medium feeding device configured to feed a recording medium separately sheet by sheet from loaded recording media includes an air outlet that blows air onto recording media from a lateral side of the recording-medium feeding direction.
  • the air outlet is formed to straddle vertically the recording-medium feeding plane on which a recording medium is to be fed, and formed such that its upper edge situated upstream of the recording-medium feeding direction is to become vertically higher than its upper edge situated downstream of the recording-medium feeding direction. Accordingly, the recording-medium feeding device that can keep a sheet of paper floating when blowing air onto paper, and can keep an appropriate angle when feeding paper to the feeding unit, can be provided.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Advancing Webs (AREA)
EP20080251843 2007-05-28 2008-05-28 Zufuhrvorrichtung für ein Aufzeichnungsmedium Active EP2119652B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2007141019 2007-05-28
JP2007228546A JP4095656B1 (ja) 2007-09-04 2007-09-04 記録媒体給送装置、及びこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP2007228548 2007-09-04
JP2007228547 2007-09-04
JP2008012054A JP5194831B2 (ja) 2007-09-04 2008-01-22 記録媒体給送装置、及びこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP2008012053A JP5194830B2 (ja) 2007-05-28 2008-01-22 記録媒体給送装置、及びこれを備えた画像形成装置

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2119652A2 true EP2119652A2 (de) 2009-11-18
EP2119652A3 EP2119652A3 (de) 2011-01-19
EP2119652B1 EP2119652B1 (de) 2012-12-05

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CN (1) CN101348196B (de)

Cited By (2)

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WO2017171628A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-05 Plockmatic International Ab Device for feeding papers
EP4286306A1 (de) * 2022-05-31 2023-12-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Bilderzeugungsgerät

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JP7416566B2 (ja) * 2019-04-01 2024-01-17 株式会社東芝 給紙装置

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JP2007008656A (ja) 2005-06-30 2007-01-18 Canon Inc シート積載装置、シート給送装置、画像形成装置
JP2007228546A (ja) 2005-09-13 2007-09-06 Seiko Epson Corp パルス発生回路およびこの回路を用いた電子装置、携帯電話機、パーソナルコンピュータ、ならびに、この回路を用いる情報伝送方法
JP2007141019A (ja) 2005-11-21 2007-06-07 Asyst Shinko Inc 搬送制御装置及び搬送制御プログラム、並びに搬送制御方法
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WO2017171628A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-05 Plockmatic International Ab Device for feeding papers
EP4286306A1 (de) * 2022-05-31 2023-12-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Bilderzeugungsgerät

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2119652B1 (de) 2012-12-05
CN101348196B (zh) 2012-06-27
EP2119652A3 (de) 2011-01-19
CN101348196A (zh) 2009-01-21

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