JP2002087615A - Separating sheet, separating pad, and paper feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeding device capable of suppressing stresses exerted on a paper sheet when it is fed, and provide a separating sheet and a separating pad used therefor. SOLUTION: This paper feeding device is equipped with a rotatable paper feed roller and the separating sheet 110 brought into pressure contact with a peripheral surface of the feed roller. Paper sheets are entrained by the rotation of the feed roller and inserted between the feed roller and the separating sheet 110. The separating sheet 110 causes the paper sheets to pass therethrough in a one-by-one separated manner. The separating sheet 110 has a rigidity characteristic in the width direction wherein its rigidity in the pressure contact direction is smaller at end parts Ed and Ed than at a middle part Ct in a contact surface, where the width direction is the direction normal to the direction in which the paper sheets pass through the feeding device, the pressure contact direction is the direction in which a force acts on the sheet 110 when it is brought into pressure contact with the feed roller, and the contact surface is a surface thereof contacted by the paper sheets when they pass.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet by printing, transferring, printing or the like of a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile or the like. The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device of an image forming apparatus that separates and feeds a sheet to an image forming unit and the like, and a sabaki sheet and a sabaki pad used for the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a sheet feeding device of an image forming apparatus, for example, there is one as shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional paper feeding device employing a fixed paper feeding cassette. This paper feeder has the following configuration.

The bottom of the fixed paper cassette 50 is a bottom plate 57 of the main body of the image forming apparatus. A paper push-up plate 59 for pushing up the leading end of the stored paper S is attached to the bottom plate 57. The paper push-up plate 59 rises when the solenoid 58 is turned off, and presses the leading end of the paper S stacked on the paper push-up plate 59 against the paper feed roller 51.

The paper feed roller 51 is provided along a main body frame 54 which is also a right side wall of the image forming apparatus, and a roller portion is provided on one shaft 51a provided from the front side to the rear side. (See FIG. 4 which is an explanatory view of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the feed roller is indicated by reference numeral 5 and the roller portion is divided into four parts.)

[0005] Then, below the paper feed roller 51,
Downstream from the position where the leading end of the stacked sheets S is pressed, a sheet separating unit for preventing double feeding of the fed sheets S is provided. The sheet separating unit includes a separating unit 52 provided for each divided roller portion of the sheet feeding roller 51.

The separating unit 52 has a sabaki sheet 55 on the upper surface, and the sabaki sheet 55 is pressed against the sheet feeding roller 51. The separating unit 52 has a support 52a, and is fixed to the main body frame 54 with screws 60 via the support 52a. Handling unit 52
Is a guide 5 erected on the bottom plate 57 of the image forming apparatus main body.
3, the spring 56, one end of which is fixed to the bottom plate 57, is urged in the direction of the arrow d by the urging force of the spring 56 so that the upper sheet 55 is pressed against the sheet feed roller 51. ing. Here, the guide 53 regulates a pressing direction in which the sabaki sheet 55 is pressed against the sheet feeding roller 51.

In such a configuration, when feeding paper, the solenoid 58 is turned off and the paper push-up plate 59 is raised, and the paper S
Is pressed against the paper feed roller 51, the paper S in the paper feed cassette 50 is fed out by the rotation of the paper feed roller 51, and is fed between the paper feed roller 51 and the subsheet 55. At this time, even if a plurality of sheets S are fed out in an overlapped state, the sheets S cannot pass between the sheet feeding roller 51 and the sub sheet 55 pressed against the sheet feeding roller 51, and Here, the multi-feeding is prevented by separating the sheets S one by one. The paper S that has passed between the paper feed roller 51 and the sabaki sheet 55 is
The sheet is sent to an image forming unit (not shown) with the rotation of 1.

[0008]

Conventionally, as the above-mentioned sabaki sheet 55, a sheet made of urethane, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or the like is impregnated with silicone oil or the like in order to reduce friction with paper S. Things were used. However, there is a problem that the impregnated oil adheres to the paper S and deteriorates the quality of the paper S. In addition, in an image forming apparatus such as a U-pass paper feeding system, which forms an image on the contact surface of the paper S with the sabaki sheet 55, the attached oil causes printing unevenness, which deteriorates the quality of the formed image. was there. The problem of the printing unevenness was particularly remarkable in an ink jet printer.

On the other hand, if a sheet made of urethane, EPDM, or the like is used as the sabaki sheet 55 without impregnation with silicone oil or the like, the problem of printing unevenness can be solved. The friction between them increases.

Here, FIG. 17 shows a state in which the sub-sheet 55 and the sheet S are viewed from the sheet conveying direction when the sheet is conveyed in the conventional configuration. The conventional mackerel sheet 55 has a rectangular planar shape (not shown) and a rectangular cross-sectional shape,
The two sides parallel to each other on the plane are in the paper transport direction (FIG. 17).
In the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing).

In this case, in the vicinity of a portion where the two sides (corners) 55a of the sub-sheet 55 come into contact with the sheet S at the time of conveyance of the sheet S according to the position in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction as shown in FIG. Therefore, the frictional force applied to the sheet S differs greatly. That is, the sheet S 5
5 where the frictional force is large,
The frictional force becomes zero in the portion where the sheet 5 does not contact, and the shearing force in the sheet transport direction acts on the portion of the sheet S where the corners 55a and 55a of the sheet Sabaki 55 contact. Due to such stress, the corners 55a and 55
"Peeling", "turning", etc. may occur at the portion where "a" comes into contact, particularly at this portion at the leading end of the sheet S in the transport direction.

Further, the pressure applied to the sheet S also shows the same tendency as the frictional force (the frictional force is generated by this pressure). As a result, a "small step" may extend linearly in the sheet transport direction and remain as a trace at a portion of the sheet S where the corners 55a and 55a of the sheet Sabaki 55 have passed.

Any of these causes the quality of the paper S to deteriorate. Such a problem is caused by coated paper as the paper S,
This is particularly noticeable when thick paper such as photo glossy paper and postcards is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a paper feeder capable of suppressing the stress applied to a sheet when the sheet is supplied, and a sabaki sheet and a sabaki pad used therefor. It is in.

[0015]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sabaki sheet comprising a rotatable sheet feed roller and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feed roller, and is pulled by the rotation of the sheet feed roller. A sheet inserted between the sheet feed roller and the sheet feeder, which is used for a sheet feeder that separates and passes the sheets one by one. In this sheet, the sheet passing through the sheet feeder passes through the sheet feeder. When the direction perpendicular to the direction of the paper feed is the width direction, the direction of the force received from the paper feed roller when pressed against the paper feed roller is the pressure contact direction, and the surface that the paper contacts when the paper passes is the contact surface,
In the width direction, the end portion has a rigidity characteristic such that the rigidity in the press contact direction is smaller than the center portion in the contact surface.

In the above configuration, when the sabaki sheet is pressed against the sheet feeding roller, the end in the width direction of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet is more easily bent than the central portion, that is, the waist due to the bending of the sabaki sheet is weakened. This reduces the pressure and frictional force that the sheet receives from the end when the sheet passes between the sabaki sheet and the sheet feeding roller. As a result, the above-mentioned "peeling", "turning", "small steps"
Can be suppressed.

It is preferable that the sabaki sheet of the present invention has the above-mentioned rigidity characteristics because the thickness in the pressing direction of the sabaki sheet changes in the width direction.

In the above configuration, in order to obtain the rigidity characteristics, the thickness of the sabaki sheet is changed in the width direction of the contact surface, for example, the thickness of the end portion is made smaller than the thickness of the central portion. Thus, the above-described effect can be obtained by performing a simple processing on the mackerel sheet.

Alternatively, the sabaki sheet of the present invention preferably has a slit cut into the contact surface in the sabaki sheet, and the slit has the rigidity characteristics.

In the above configuration, a slit is formed on the contact surface of the sabaki sheet in order to obtain the rigidity characteristics. Thus, the above-described effect can be obtained by performing a simple processing on the mackerel sheet.

The paper sheet of the present invention comprises a rotatable paper feed roller and a paper sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. The paper feed roller and the paper sheet are pulled by the rotation of the paper feed roller. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeding device that separates and passes a sheet inserted between the sheets one by one. In this sabaki sheet, a direction in which the sheet passes through the sheet feeding device is a vertical direction, If the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is the width direction, and the surface that the paper contacts when the paper passes is the contact surface, the length of the contact surface in the width direction differs depending on the position in the vertical direction. It is characterized by having.

In the above configuration, when the sheet passes over the sabaki sheet, the contact position of the corner of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet (the angle formed by the end of the contact surface) with the sheet is changed in width as the sheet moves. Direction. As a result, the influence (stress) on the paper due to the corners of the sabaki sheet is dispersed without concentrating on one place in the paper, so that the occurrence of the above-described “peeling”, “turning”, “small step”, etc. Can be suppressed.

The sheet feeding roller according to the present invention comprises a rotatable sheet feeding roller and a sheet feeding sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller. The sheet feeding roller and the sheet feeding roller are pulled by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeding device that separates and passes sheets inserted between the sheets one by one, and is impregnated with a liquid that reduces friction with the sheet. Assuming that the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the paper passes through the paper feeding device is the width direction, and that the surface that the paper comes into contact with when the paper passes is the contact surface, in the width direction, the central portion is closer to the center than the inner end of the contact surface. The feature is that the impregnation amount of the liquid is smaller.

In the above-described configuration, since the sabaki sheet is impregnated with the liquid for reducing the friction with the sheet, the friction with the sheet at the end of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet is reduced, and the above-mentioned "peeling" It is possible to suppress the occurrence of “turning”, “small steps”, and the like. In addition, by reducing the amount of liquid impregnation in the central part, which is less relevant to the occurrence of "peeling," etc., it is possible to minimize the impregnated liquid from adhering to the paper, and to reduce deterioration in print quality and the like. Can be suppressed.

The sheet feeding roller according to the present invention comprises a rotatable sheet feeding roller and a sheet feeding sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller. The sheet feeding roller and the sheet feeding roller are pulled by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller. What is claimed is: 1. A sub-sheet used in a sheet feeder that separates and passes sheets inserted between sheets one by one, in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet passes through the sheet feeder. Is defined as a contact surface when the paper is in contact with the paper in the width direction and when the paper passes therethrough, a corner formed by an end in the width direction of the contact surface is chamfered.

In the above configuration, the corner of the contact surface of the mackerel sheet is chamfered (for example, a cut surface or an R surface). Thereby, the corner is obtuse and the pressure contact force of the corner on the sheet is weakened, so that the occurrence of the above-mentioned “peeling”, “turning”, “small step” and the like can be suppressed.

The pad according to the present invention includes a rotatable paper feed roller and a paper sheet which is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. The paper feed roller and the paper sheet are pulled by the rotation of the paper feed roller. Is used for a paper feeder that separates and passes paper inserted one by one between
What is claimed is: 1. A sabaki pad comprising: a sabaki sheet; and a support for supporting a surface of the sabaki sheet that faces the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller. If the direction in which the sheet passes through is the vertical direction, the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is the width direction, and in the sabaki sheet, the nip area is the area that is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller by the paper feeder. Is characterized in that a widthwise end of the support surface is cut off at a portion of the support surface that supports the sabaki sheet in the portion facing the nip region.

In the above configuration, the sabaki sheet is not supported at the end in the width direction in the nip region. This makes it easier for the sheet to bend at its end, and the pressure and
Friction is reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of “peeling”, “turning”, “small steps”, and the like described above.

The paper feeder of the present invention includes a rotatable paper feed roller and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller, and the paper feed roller is pulled by the rotation of the paper feed roller. A paper feeder that separates and passes sheets inserted between the sheet and the sabaki sheet one by one, wherein, in the sabaki sheet, a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the sheet passes is used in a width direction, when the sheet passes. Assuming that the surface in contact with the sheet is a contact surface, when the sheet passes between the paper feed roller and the sabaki sheet, a guide rib for regulating the passing position of the sheet is provided outside the contact surface. The guide rib applies a force to the paper passing between the paper feed roller and the sabaki sheet in a direction to pull the paper away from the corner formed by the widthwise end of the contact surface toward the paper feed roller. It is characterized.

In the above configuration, the guide ribs disposed outside the contact surface of the sabaki sheet (for example, outside in the width direction or outside on the downstream side in the sheet passing direction) allow the sheet to move in the width direction at the contact surface of the sabaki sheet. The force pressed against the corner formed by the edges is reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the above-described “peeling”, “turning”, “small step”, and the like due to the corner.

In the sheet feeding device of the present invention, in the sheet feeding device described above, it is preferable that the contact surface has a planar shape, and the guide rib protrudes from a plane including the contact surface toward the sheet feeding roller.

In the above configuration, since the guide ribs protrude from the plane including the contact surface, the force with which the sheet is pressed against the corner can be reduced more effectively.

In the sheet feeding device according to the present invention, in the sheet feeding device described above, it is preferable that the guide rib is disposed outside the contact surface in the width direction.

In the above configuration, since the guide ribs are arranged on the outer side in the width direction of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet, the force of pressing the sheet against the corner can be reduced more effectively.

In the sheet feeding device according to the present invention, in the sheet feeding device described above, it is preferable that the guide rib is disposed outside the contact surface on the downstream side in the sheet passing direction.

In the above configuration, since the guide ribs are arranged on the outer side of the downstream side in the sheet passing direction of the sabaki sheet, the force of pressing the sheet against the corner can be reduced more effectively.

[0037]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer 1 as an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an external view of the inkjet printer 1 as viewed from the front left side, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the inkjet printer 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a unit.

The ink jet printer 1 has a paper feed cassette 2 for storing sheets S stacked on the bottom thereof. This paper feed cassette 2 is of a fixed type different from the detachable type, and uses the bottom plate 1a of the ink jet printer 1 as the bottom plate of the cassette. Therefore, a paper push-up plate 3 for pushing up the paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 2 is provided on the bottom plate 1a of the ink jet printer 1, and the paper S stored in the paper feed cassette 2 is 3 is loaded.

The bottom plate 1a of the ink jet printer constituting the paper feed cassette 2 is provided with paper insertion guides 16 and 17 on the rear side and the front side, respectively, and is spaced apart from the bottom plate 1a by a predetermined distance. Are formed. Under the guidance of the paper insertion guides 16 to 18, the paper S is inserted into the paper feed cassette 2 from the left side in FIG.
Among them, the paper insertion guide 17 provided on the front side
Can move in parallel in the direction indicated by the double arrow a in FIG. 4 so as to align the sheets S stored in the sheet cassette 2 in the rear-front direction. Although not shown here, the sheet cassette 2 is also provided with an alignment plate for aligning the accommodated sheet S in the sheet insertion direction (the same as the sheet feeding direction).

When a print request is made to the ink jet printer 1 below the paper lifting plate 3, the OF
A solenoid 4 is provided to push the sheet push-up plate 3 upward with the shaft 3a as a fulcrum. Solenoid 4
Are provided on both the rear side and the front side of the sheet push-up plate 3, respectively. When the sheet push-up plate 3 is pushed upward, the leading end side of the uppermost sheet S of the stacked sheets S placed thereon is pressed against the sheet feed roller 5 disposed above.

The paper feed roller 5 against which the paper S is pressed
Rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow b in FIGS. 3 and 4, and feeds out the topmost sheet S of the sheets S stacked in the sheet cassette 2 by the rotation force, and also feeds out the fed sheet S. The sheet is conveyed to a recording unit (image forming unit), which will be described later, which is located above the sheet cassette 2. The roller portion of the paper feed roller 5 is divided and disposed on a shaft 6 provided along a main body frame 1 b serving as a right side wall of the ink jet printer 1 and transmitting a driving force of a motor 15. Here, they are arranged in four parts.

Below the paper feed roller 5 and on the paper feed side of the paper feed cassette 2, there is provided a paper separating section 7 for preventing double feeding of the paper S fed from the paper feed cassette 2. ing. Although the details will be described later, the paper separating section 7 is provided for each of the paper feed rollers 5 arranged on the shaft 6 by dividing it into four parts.

In the vicinity of the paper feed roller 5,
A transport roller 8 for assisting the transport of the paper S by the paper feed roller 5 and a PS roller (paper stop roller) 9 for aligning the leading edge of the image are disposed downstream of the paper separating unit 7 in the paper transport direction. Has been established. The PS roller 9 is
This is for aligning the leading edge position of the paper S with the leading edge position of the image. The rotation of the paper feed roller 5 together with the PS roller 9 is temporarily stopped, and the rotation is performed when the leading edge position of the paper S and the leading edge position of the image match. By restarting, the sheet S is transported to the recording unit.

The recording unit includes a recording device 10 and a drying device 12.
Are arranged in order. The recording apparatus 10 ejects necessary ink in accordance with image data and prints on the paper S. An ink head 10a, an ink carriage 10b on which the ink head 10a is mounted, and a printer Ink carriage holding shaft 10c disposed
It is constituted by and.

At the time of recording, the sheet S is temporarily stopped, and at the time when scanning in one line (one direction) in the main scanning direction by the ink carriage 10b is completed, the formation length of the plurality of ink nozzles of the ink head 10a in the sub-scanning direction. Is transported by a distance corresponding to the distance. By continuously performing such processing corresponding to the image data, the image is written on the sheet S using ink. The printed sheet S is transported to the drying device 12 by the transport roller pair 11.

The drying device 12 dries the ink on the paper S by blowing air on the paper S or the like. The paper S after ink drying is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 14 by a paper discharge roller pair 13 and provided to a user as a printed matter. In FIG. 3, the members denoted by reference numerals 19 and 19, which are not particularly described, are conveyance members that guide the conveyance of the sheet S from being fed from the sheet cassette 2 to being discharged onto the discharge tray 14. It is a guide.

Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned sheet separating section 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B used in the above description. FIG. 5 (a) and FIG. 5 (b)
FIG. 5A is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of a sheet handling unit 7 and a peripheral portion thereof constituting a sheet feeding device. FIG.
(B) shows a state in which paper is not fed, that is, the ink jet printer 1
At the time of standby. Note that the sheet feeding device also includes a sheet feeding roller 5.

The paper separating unit 7 is composed of a movable paper separating unit 21 having a reed sheet 100 which is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 5 above. The movable sheet separating unit 21 includes a pressing position at which the sabaki sheet 100 is pressed against the sheet feeding roller 5 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
It is configured to be able to move to a more separated standby position,
It is held at the press-contact position only during paper feeding, and presses the sabaki sheet 100 against the paper feed roller 5. As described above, by adopting a configuration in which the sabaki sheet 100 is not always pressed against the sheet feeding roller 5 but is pressed only at the time of sheet feeding, wear of the sabaki sheet 100 can be suppressed and durability can be improved. Stable paper feed can be realized.

The movable paper separating unit 21 is roughly divided into a support base 21a which is also a unit main body, and the sabaki sheet 1 provided on the support base 21a.
00, and a support sheet 10 supported on a support surface of the support 200.
A press-contact spring 21d for pressing 0 to the feed roller 5;
A stopper 21c is provided to restrict the height position of the movable paper separating unit 21 by the push-up spring 22 by being locked to the main body frame 1b. An operation piece 21e is formed to enable the height position of the movable paper separating unit 21 to be switched in conjunction with the lifting operation of the push-up plate 3. The sabaki sheet 100 and the support 200 form a sabaki pad.

The movable paper separating unit 21 is mounted on the support table 21 a by applying a biasing force of a push-up spring 22 having one end fixed to the bottom plate 1 a of the ink jet printer 1. 5B, when the ink jet printer 1 is not in a standby state and the sheet is not fed, as shown in FIG. 5B, the sheet lifting plate 3 is attached to the operation piece 21e formed on the support base 21a. When the operation piece 21e is pressed down from above, the upward movement is suppressed.
Are held at the separated standby positions.

On the other hand, when the paper is fed, as shown in FIG. 5A, the solenoid 4 is turned off and the paper push-up plate 3 is moved upward, so that the operation piece 21 is pressed in conjunction with this operation. The movable paper separating unit 21 is moved upward by the urging force of the push-up spring 22. When the stopper 21c provided on the support base 21a is locked to the main body frame 1b, the movable paper separating unit 21 is kept at a predetermined height position regardless of the urging force of the push-up spring 22. Stop. This stop position is the pressure contact position where the sheet 100 supported by the support 200 is pressed against the paper feed roller 5.

When the movable paper separating unit 21 is at the pressing position, the sheet 10 supported by the support 200 is
Numeral 0 is pressed against the paper feed roller 5 by the urging force of a pressure contact spring 21d that urges the sabaki sheet 100 from its normal direction via the support 200. At this time, the sabaki sheet 100 is pressed against the paper feed roller 5 from a diagonal direction with the downstream side in the rotation direction of the paper feed roller 5 being upward, with a predetermined pressure contact force necessary for loosening. With the provision of the stopper 21c, the urging force of the push-up spring 22 does not directly affect the urging force of the pressurizing sheet 100 against the paper feed roller 5, but can be controlled only by the urging force of the urging spring 21d. Easy. Note that the direction of the pressing force received from the sheet feeding roller 5 by the subbed sheet 100 when the sheet 100 is pressed against the sheet feeding roller 5 is referred to as a pressing direction.

When a plurality of sheets S are conveyed between the paper feed roller 5 and the paper feed roller 5 with the rotation of the paper feed roller 5 in a state where the paper feed roller 5 is pressed against the paper feed roller 5, A force is applied to the sheet 100 to expand the gap between the sub-sheet 100 and the paper feed roller 5 depending on the thickness of the multi-fed sheet S. When a force for expanding the gap between the paper feed roller 5 and the sabaki sheet 100 acts,
The sheet 100 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow c in FIG. 5A and is displaced away from the sheet feeding roller 5, and the space between the sheet 100 and the sheet feeding roller 5 expands. As a result, there is no possibility that the multi-fed paper S is pressed against the paper feed roller 5 with excessive force. Of course, the press-contact force for pressing the sub-sheet 100 against the paper feed roller 5 is increased by an amount corresponding to the contraction of the press-contact spring 21d by the rotation of the sub-sheet 100, but the increase of the press-contact force at that time is within an appropriate range. This does not significantly impair the transportability of the sheet S.

In the movable sheet separating unit 21 described above, the biasing direction of the pressing spring 21d for pressing the sub-sheet 100 against the paper feed roller 5 coincides with the direction in which the sub-sheet 100 is pushed down. Sabaki sheet 10 required for press-contact spring 21d
It is easy to satisfy the condition that the thickness can be displaced with respect to the thickness of the multiply fed sheet S, and the pressing force required for separating the sheet can be applied.

The two springs used in the movable paper separating unit 21, that is, the pressing springs 2 for pressing the sabaki sheet 100 against the paper feed roller 5.
Comparing the deformability of each of the push-up springs 22 for pushing the 1d and the movable paper separating unit 21 itself from the standby position to the press-contact position with respect to the applied load, it is possible to set the press-contact spring 21d to be easier to deform than the push-up spring 22. is necessary. By setting like this,
With the movable sheet separating unit 21 held at the pressure contact position, the force received by the subsheet sheet 100 due to the thickness of the sheet S conveyed between the subsheet sheet 100 and the paper feed roller 5 is accurately absorbed by the pressure contact spring 21d. And paper S
Can be efficiently handled.

Further, in the above-mentioned sheet separating unit 7, the position of the movable sheet separating unit 21 is switched in conjunction with the operation of the sheet push-up plate 3 which pushes up the sheet S at the time of sheet feeding. Without increasing
It is possible to easily realize a switching operation in which the sheet 100 is pressed against the sheet feeding roller 5 only during sheet feeding.

Here, the relationship between the sabaki sheet 100 and the paper feed roller 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 used in the above description. The sabaki sheet 100 is for preventing double feeding of the sheet S as described above, but causes conveyance resistance when the sheet S is conveyed. In order to reduce the conveyance resistance, it is desirable that the area of the portion of the sabaki sheet 100 that is pressed against the paper feed roller 5 be as small as possible within a range that can prevent the double feed prevention function. In order to smoothly transport the paper S in the paper transport direction, it is desirable that the sabaki sheet 100 acts on the paper S in the width direction thereof in a nearly uniform state.

Therefore, in the present paper feeding device, the sabbaki sheet 1
In addition to reducing the width of 00 (length in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction), the paper separating unit 7 provided with the sabaki sheet 100 is divided into four parts and arranged almost uniformly in the width direction of the paper S. .

In order to reliably transport the sheet S,
It is desirable to set so that the contact portion of the paper feed roller 5 with the paper S becomes larger. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the corners at both ends in the width direction of the sabaki sheet 100 (FIG. 17).
(Corresponding to the corner 55a in FIG. 5) necessarily comes close to the paper feed roller 5 or is arranged to face the paper feed roller 5. As a result, problems such as “peeling”, “turning”, and “small step” of the paper as described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention are likely to occur.

In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned problem is solved by forming the sabaki sheet 100 and the support 200 in the paper separating section 7 as follows. Note that the sabaki sheet 100 and the support 200 in FIGS. 2 to 5 can be appropriately replaced by the sabaki sheet and the support described below. Further, the following sabaki sheet and support are not limited to the sheet separating unit 7 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, and may be applied to those described with reference to FIG. 16.

The common features of each sabaki sheet are as follows:
It is made of a sheet made of urethane, EPDM, or the like, and is attached to the support 200 by adhesion or the like. In addition, the general thickness of each mackerel sheet is about 1 mm to 1.5 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

Here, the "paper transport direction" refers to the moving direction (vertical direction) of the paper S when the paper S passes between the paper feed roller 5 and the sabaki sheet 100, and the "width direction" It refers to a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and “width” refers to the length in the width direction. “Upstream in the paper transport direction” and “downstream in the paper transport direction” are based on the movement direction when the paper S is transported by the paper feed roller 5. The “width direction end” refers to an end region (end) in the width direction along the sheet conveyance direction in each of the sabaki sheets, and the width of the region is not particularly limited. It is set appropriately so as to be obtained. The “paper feed roller nip position” refers to a central portion in the sheet conveyance direction of a region (nip region) where the paper sheet 100 receives pressure from the paper feed roller 5 when the paper back sheet 100 is pressed against the paper feed roller 5.

[Embodiment 1] The sheet separating section 7 (see FIG. 5) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c). FIG. 1A illustrates a state in which the sabaki sheet 110 and the support 200 according to the first embodiment are
FIG. 1B is a plan view seen from the side (see FIG. 5).
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3A is a side view of the sabaki sheet 110 and the support 200.

The paper separating section 7 according to the present embodiment is particularly characterized by a sabaki sheet 110. The sabaki sheet 110 according to the present embodiment has a width direction end (end) Ed, Ed.
(At both ends) the thickness is thin.

More specifically, the upper surface of the sabaki sheet 110 (the surface on the side of the paper feed roller 5; the same applies hereinafter).
Is formed to be flat in order to fulfill the function of preventing double feeding of the paper S. The upper surface of this Sabaki sheet 110
When the sheet S passes, the contact surface is in contact with the sheet S. A central portion (central portion) Ct in the width direction on the lower surface of the sabaki sheet 110 (refers to a surface on the side of the support 200; the same applies hereinafter) is formed so as to be flat for attachment to the support 200. However, if the surface (supporting surface) of the support 200 that supports the sabaki sheet 110 is not flat, the lower surface of the sabaki sheet 110 also follows the surface. And the width direction edge Ed on the lower surface of the sabaki sheet 110 has a shape cut off obliquely in the thickness direction. That is, Sabaki sheet 110
Are formed such that the thickness of the sabaki sheet 110 becomes thinner toward the corners 110a. Therefore, the lower surface is separated from the support 200 at the width direction ends Ed and Ed of the sabaki sheet 110, and the upper surface is kept flat by the rigidity of the sabaki sheet 110. The corners 110a are angles formed by the ends of the sabaki sheet 110 in the width direction.

The sabaki sheet 110 is made of a material having relatively low rigidity, such as urethane or EPDM, as described above, and is easily deformed. Therefore, Sabaki sheet 1
When the sheet 10 is pressed against the sheet feeding roller 5, the end E in the width direction is
d · Ed bends slightly. Thereby, the Sabaki sheet 11
When the paper S is interposed between the paper S and the paper feed roller 5, the pressure applied to the position corresponding to the width direction edges Ed of the paper S gradually decreases as the corners approach the corners 110a. In addition, the width direction edge Ed.
The frictional force applied to the position corresponding to Ed is also the angle 110a · 1
It gradually decreases as it approaches 10a. as a result,
It is possible to reduce or prevent problems such as “peeling”, “turning”, and “small step” occurring at the portion of the sheet S where the corners 110a come into contact.

It is desirable that the width of the support 200 be smaller than the width of the sabaki sheet 110. FIG. 1 (b)
Then, the sabaki sheet 11 at the width direction end Ed · Ed
Although the gap between 0 and the support 200 is shown in an exaggerated manner, the gap is generally small because the thickness of the sabaki sheet 110 is small. Therefore, even if the width direction edges Ed and Ed of the sabaki sheet 110 bend, the effect of reducing the pressure and the frictional force by contacting the support 200 may be small. On the other hand, by making the width of the support 200 smaller than the width of the sabaki sheet 110, it is possible to reduce the contact portion with the support 200 when the width direction ends Ed and Ed of the sabaki sheet 110 are bent. Thus, it is possible to suppress the deflection of the width direction ends Ed.

Further, here, the case where the width direction edges Ed and Ed on the lower surface of the sabaki sheet 110 are cut obliquely in the thickness direction has been described, but the invention is not limited to this. What is necessary is just to change the thickness of the sabaki sheet 110 in the width direction so that Ed · Ed is easily bent.

[Embodiment 2] The sheet separating section 7 (see FIG. 5) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the sabaki sheet 120 and the support 200 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the sheet feeding roller 5 (see FIG. 5).

The paper separating section 7 according to the present embodiment is also particularly characterized by the sabaki sheet 120. A plurality of slits 120d are formed in the width direction ends Ed of the mackerel sheet 120 according to the present embodiment.

The slits 120d are arranged symmetrically with respect to the paper transport direction, and each slit 120d is formed obliquely with respect to the paper transport direction. When attention is paid to a pair of slits 120d and 120d arranged symmetrically with respect to the paper transport direction, the interval between each other in the width direction is widened along the paper transport direction, that is, in a “reverse C shape”. I have. The support 200 is configured such that its width is smaller than the width of the sabaki sheet 120.

By forming the slits 120d in this manner, the width direction ends Ed.E
d becomes easy to bend. In addition, by making the width of the support 200 smaller than the width of the sabaki sheet 120, a portion where the lower surface of the sabaki sheet 120 does not contact the support 200 is formed at the width direction ends Ed and Ed of the sabaki sheet 120. The parts can actually bend.

As a result, the effect of reducing the pressure and the frictional force applied to the sheet S at the width direction edges Ed and Ed of the sabaki sheet 120 can be obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment. And "turn up", "small step"
And the like can be suppressed or prevented.

Note that the slits 120d...
The arrangement was made for the following reasons. Slit 120d ...
Is formed, a step may be formed on the upper surface of the sabaki sheet 120 before and after that. If the step is such that the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction in the sheet conveying direction is low, this is unlikely to cause a problem. On the other hand, if the step is such that the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction is high, the problem that the sheet S may be caught may occur.

Here, if the slits 120d are formed parallel to the width direction, the sheet S is easily caught. When the slits 120d are arranged in a “C” shape, contrary to the above, the paper S is less likely to be caught, but when it is caught, a force is generated in the direction of moving the paper S to the center of the sabaki sheet 120. Therefore, if the sheet S is thin, wrinkles may be formed. On the other hand, the slit 120
When d ... is arranged in the shape of "upside-down" as described above, the paper S is less likely to be caught, and even if it is caught, a force in the direction of extending the paper S to the outside of the sabaki sheet 120 is generated. Because of this, it is unlikely to cause wrinkles. Further, even if a force for extending the sheet S to the outside of the sheet 120 is generated, it is difficult to imagine that a force enough to break the sheet S acts.

From the above, it is desirable that the slits 120d are arranged in a “reverse C-shape”. However, when the step is small and the problem of catching does not occur, the slits 120d may be formed parallel to the width direction.
You may arrange | position in the shape of "a right square." As shown in FIG. 7, slits 120d parallel to the sheet transport direction may be arranged in a staggered manner. In this case, the above-mentioned problem of the catch is less likely to occur, which is desirable. FIG. 7 is a plan view of another sabaki sheet 120 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the sheet feeding roller 5 side.

The slits 120d may penetrate through the sabaki sheet 120.
20 may be cut from the upper surface and not reach the lower surface. If the slit does not penetrate as in the latter case, it is desirable that a step is hardly generated on the upper surface of the sabaki sheet 120 before and after the slits 120d.

Further, in addition to the formation of the slits 120d, by reducing the thickness of the end portions Ed and Ed in the width direction of the sabaki sheet 120 as in the first embodiment, the effect of the deflection of the sabaki sheet 120 can be further obtained. It is desirable because it is easy for

As described above, the sabaki sheets 110 and 120 according to the first and second embodiments have the widthwise ends Ed and Ed.
In other words, the end portions Ed and Ed have a rigidity characteristic such that the rigidity in the direction of the pressing force received from the sheet feeding roller 5 is smaller at the width direction end portions Ed and the width direction center portion Ct than in the width direction.

[Embodiment 3] The sheet separating section 7 (see FIG. 5) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c). FIG. 8A illustrates a case where the sabaki sheet 100 and the support 210 according to the third embodiment
FIG. 8B is a plan view seen from the side (see FIG. 5), and FIG.
8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB, and FIG.
FIG. 2A is a side view of the sabaki sheet 100 and a support 210.

The paper separating section 7 according to the present embodiment is particularly characterized by the support 210. Support 21 according to the present embodiment
0 is a width direction end Ed · Ed of the sabaki sheet 100 on a surface supporting the sabaki sheet 100, and
Concave portions 210a and 210a are provided in regions (hatched portions indicated by broken lines in FIG. 8A and including nip regions at end portions Ed and Ed in the width direction) before and after the sheet feeding roller nip position Np in the sheet conveying direction. Are formed. Sabaki sheet 100 attached to support 210
May be a simple sheet.

According to this configuration, the width direction edges Ed and Ed of the sabaki sheet 100 are easily bent.
In the same manner as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect of reducing the pressure and the frictional force applied to the sheet S at the width direction edges Ed and Ed of the sabaki sheet 100. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of “peeling”, “turning”, “small step” or the like on the sheet S.

Here, the recesses 210a and 210a are provided so that the sabaki sheet 100
It is desirably larger than the area that receives pressure from This makes it easier to obtain the above-described “bending” effect. In addition, it is desirable that the support 210 supports the lower surface of the sabaki sheet 100 before and after the concave portions 210a. Thereby, the Sabaki sheet 100
The flatness is also maintained in the portion of the support 210 facing the concave portions 210a and 210a, and it is possible to suppress the obstruction of the function of preventing the double feed of the paper S by the submersible sheet 100.

In addition, not only the recesses 210a and 210a,
For example, the portions corresponding to the concave portions 210a may be punched out, and the width in which the sabaki sheet 100 is supported is smaller in the area before and after the sheet feeding roller nip position Np than in other areas. I just need to. That is, the sabaki sheet 10 on the support 210
The widthwise end of the support surface may be cut off at the portion of the support surface that supports the O, facing the nip region.

[Embodiment 4] The sheet separating section 7 (see FIG. 5) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c). FIG. 9A is a view illustrating a configuration in which the sabaki sheet 100 and the support 220 according to the fourth embodiment are fed to the sheet feeding roller 5.
FIG. 9B is a plan view seen from the side (see FIG. 5), and FIG.
9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC, and FIG.
FIG. 2A is a side view of the sabaki sheet 100 and a support 220. Note that the sheet S is also illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9C.

The paper separating section 7 according to the present embodiment is particularly characterized by the support 220. Support 22 according to the present embodiment
In FIG. 0, rear guide ribs (guide ribs) 220a are provided on the downstream side in the paper transport direction with respect to the paper feed roller nip position Np and on both ends in the width direction.
The upper end surfaces of the rear guide ribs 220a regulate the passage position of the sheet S. The rear guide ribs 220a are formed such that the upper end surfaces thereof protrude from the upper surface of the sheet 100 toward the sheet feed roller 5 side. That is, the rear guide ribs 2 with respect to the surface of the support 220 that supports the
The rear guide ribs 220a and 220a are formed such that the height (H) of the upper end surface of each of the rear guide ribs 220a and 220a is larger than the thickness (t) of the sabaki sheet 100 (H> t).

By providing the rear guide ribs 220a and 220a, the sheet S is provided between the sheet feeding roller nip position Np and the position of the rear guide ribs 220a and 220a, that is, downstream of the sheet feeding roller nip position Np in the sheet conveying direction. Is lifted from the upper surface of the sabaki sheet 100. Thus, it is possible to prevent the corners 100a and 100a of the sabaki sheet 100 from contacting the sheet S or to reduce the contact force on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction from the sheet feed roller nip position Np.

As described above, in this configuration, the sabaki sheet 1
Since the influence of the corners 100a and 100a of 00 on the sheet S can be reduced, a “small step” or the like is formed in a portion of the sheet S where the corners 100a and 100a of the rebate sheet 100 have passed in the sheet transport direction. Can be suppressed.

Here, the rear guide rib 220a
The case in which the paper S is provided on both ends in the width direction has been described.
The rear guide ribs may be arranged so as to receive a force in the direction of lifting from the corners 100a.
For this purpose, for example, a rear guide rib may be formed on the downstream side in the paper transport direction with respect to the paper feed roller nip position Np and substantially over the entire width of the rebate sheet 100.

[Embodiment 5] The sheet separating section 7 (see FIG. 5) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B. FIG. 10 is a side view of the sabaki sheet 100, the support 200, and the side guide ribs (guide ribs) 300 according to the fifth embodiment.
Further, FIG. 11A shows the Sabaki sheet 100 of FIG.
FIG. 11B is a plan view of the support 200 and the side guide ribs 300 as viewed from the paper feed roller 5 side (see FIG. 5).
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. FIG. 11C also shows the sheet S.

The paper separating section 7 according to this embodiment is characterized in that side guide ribs 300 are provided.
Rear guide ribs 220a in embodiment 4
Is provided on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction with respect to the sheet supply roller nip position Np, whereas the side guide ribs 300.
Reference numeral 300 is also located on the side of the sheet feed roller nip position Np (outside in the width direction with respect to the sheet 100). Here, it is assumed that the side guide ribs 300 are formed as a part of the support base 21a of the movable paper separating unit 21 (see FIG. 5).
00 may be configured as a part of 00.

[0093] Like the rear guide ribs 220a and 220a, the side guide ribs 300 also have upper end surfaces for regulating the passage position of the sheet S. The side guide ribs 300 are also provided on the Sabaki sheet 100.
Is pressed against the sheet feed roller 5 via the sheet S, the upper end surfaces of the side guide ribs 300
0 is formed so as to protrude from the upper surface toward the paper feed roller 5 side. It should be noted that the side guide ribs 300 and 300 do not interfere with the sheet feeding roller 5.
The interval of 300 is set to be larger than the width of the paper feed roller 5.

By providing the side guide ribs 300, the paper feed roller nip position Np
In this case, the sheet S is lifted from the upper surface at both ends in the width direction of the sabaki sheet 100. This prevents the corners 100a and 100a of the sheet Sabaki 100 from contacting the sheet S at the sheet feed roller nip position Np.
Alternatively, the contact force can be reduced.

As described above, in this configuration, the sabaki sheet 1
Since the influence of the corners 100a and 100a of 00 on the sheet S can be reduced, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of “peeling”, “turning”, “small step” or the like on the sheet S.

The side guide ribs 300 are provided not only to the side of the sheet feeding roller nip position Np but also to extend from the sheet feeding roller nip position Np to the upstream side and / or the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. Is desirable.
Thus, the corners 100a and 100a of the sabaki sheet 100 also on the upstream side and / or the downstream side in the sheet transport direction.
The effect of reducing the influence on the paper S due to this is obtained.

Further, the side guide ribs 300
When the sabaki sheet 100 is pressed against the paper feed roller 5 via the sheet S, the height of the upper end surfaces of the side guide ribs 300 with respect to the upper surface of the sabaki sheet 100 is higher on the downstream side than on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. It is desirable that it is. As a result, the effect of reducing the load on the paper and the impact during conveyance can be obtained.

[Embodiment 6] The sheet separating section 7 (see FIG. 5) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of the sabaki sheet 130 and the support 200 according to the sixth embodiment as viewed from the paper feed roller 5 side (see FIG. 5).

The paper separating section 7 according to the present embodiment is particularly characterized by a sabaki sheet 130. The sabaki sheet 130 according to the present embodiment has both ends in the width direction inclined with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. That is, the corner 1 of the sabaki sheet 130
30a and 130a are inclined with respect to the sheet transport direction. More specifically, the width of the sub-sheet 130 is gradually increased at first from the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and is gradually reduced from the middle.

In this configuration, the corner 1 of the
It is possible to prevent the corners 130a and 130a from moving in the sheet S as the sheet S is conveyed, while avoiding that the sheets 30a and 130a always contact a fixed position in the width direction of the sheet S. Thereby, the influence on the sheet S due to the corners 130a of the sabaki sheet 130 can be prevented from being concentrated on a specific portion of the sheet S and can be dispersed. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of “peeling”, “turning”, “small step” or the like on the sheet S.

Note that the corner 130a
130a may be inclined in one direction with respect to the paper transport direction. However, in this case, since the width of the sabaki sheet 130 becomes unnecessarily large on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction or on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction, it is better to change the inclination direction at the predetermined position as described above. desirable. Also, the corners 130a and 130a of the sabaki sheet 130
Is not limited to a straight line but may be a curved line. However, processing is easier with a straight shape. That is, Sabaki sheet 1
The width (the width of the upper surface) of each of the corners 130a of the 30 may be any shape as long as it differs depending on the position in the paper transport direction.

[Seventh Embodiment] The paper separating section 7 (see FIG. 5) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of the sabaki sheet 140 and the support 200 according to the seventh embodiment as viewed from the paper feed roller 5 side (see FIG. 5).

The paper separating section 7 according to the present embodiment is particularly characterized by a sabaki sheet 140. The sabaki sheet 140 according to the present embodiment has oil-impregnated regions 140e, 140e (FIG. 1) in which width-direction ends Ed, Ed are impregnated with silicone oil, which is a liquid for reducing friction with paper S.
3 (hatched area). However, the silicone oil is not impregnated in the widthwise central portion Ct of the mackerel sheet 140.

In this configuration, the oil impregnated area 140e
Due to the lubricating action of silicone oil at 140e,
The frictional force acting on the width direction edges Ed of the sheet S is reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of “peeling” or “turning” on the sheet S. Also,
Unlike the conventional sheet in which the entire sheet is impregnated with silicone oil as in a conventional mackerel sheet, the area in which the silicone oil is impregnated can be kept to the minimum necessary area for obtaining the above-described effects. This can minimize problems such as print unevenness caused by the adhesion of the silicone oil to the paper S.

Note that the silicone oil is used at the end Ed in the width direction.
It is desirable that only the Ed is impregnated and the center Ct in the width direction is not impregnated.
The above effect can be obtained if the widthwise central portion Ct is smaller than Ed.

[Embodiment 8] The sheet separating section 7 (see FIG. 5) according to this embodiment is shown in FIGS.
Description will be made based on (c). FIG. 14A shows the sabaki sheet 150 or the sabaki sheet 16 according to the eighth embodiment.
0, and the support 200 on the side of the feed roller 5 (see FIG. 5).
14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the sabaki sheet 150 and the support 200 in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14C is a sabaki sheet 160 in FIG. 14A. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the support 200 taken along line EE.

The paper separating section 7 according to the present embodiment is particularly characterized by the sabaki sheet 150 or the sabaki sheet 160. The sabaki sheet 150 according to the present embodiment has a chamfered portion (cut surface) 150 in which the corners 55a (see FIG. 17) of the conventional sabaki sheet 55 are obliquely cut.
The formation of f · 150f results in chamfering.

Further, the sabaki sheet 16 according to the present embodiment is
0 denotes the corners 55a and 55 in the conventional sabaki sheet 55.
A curved surface (R surface) 160g · 1 where a is cut into a curved surface
Chamfering is performed by forming 60 g.

In this configuration, no sharp corners (like the conventional corners 55a and 55a) are formed at both ends in the width direction of the sabaki sheet 150 or the sabaki sheet 160, and the corners become more obtuse or rounded. , Paper S by the corner
The effect on the vehicle can be reduced. Thereby, the paper S
It is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of “peeling”, “turning”, “small steps”, and the like.

In order to obtain the above effects, it is desirable that the shape of the chamfered portion 150f has a width of 0.3 mm or more. Further, the width is desirably 1 mm or less. Further, the angle (the smaller one of the angles formed by the plane including the upper surface of the sabaki sheet 150 and the surface of the chamfered portion 150f) is appropriately set.

In order to obtain the above-described effects, the curved surface portion 1
The curvature is appropriately set as the shape of 60 g.

The configurations of the respective embodiments described above can produce effects even if they are used alone. However, a more desirable configuration can be obtained by appropriately combining the configurations. FIG. 15 shows an example of the combination. FIG. 15 shows the third and fourth embodiments.
This is a configuration in which the configurations according to and 6 are combined.

The support 230 in this configuration is different from the support 220 (see FIG. 9A) in that
10 (see FIG. 8 (a)) in which concave portions 210a are formed. The sabaki sheet 130 is shown in FIG.
This is equivalent to that shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the case where the paper feeder is applied to the ink jet printer 1 (see FIG. 2) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other printers, copiers, facsimile machines, etc. may perform printing and transfer. The present invention can be applied to an apparatus in which sheets stacked in an image forming apparatus or the like that forms an image on sheets by printing or the like are sequentially separated one by one and sent to an image forming unit or the like.

[0115]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding roller comprising a rotatable sheet feeding roller and a sheet feeding roller pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller. The sheet feeding roller is pulled by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller. Sheet used in a sheet feeding device for separating and passing sheets inserted one by one between the sheet and the sheet, and in the width direction, the end portion is closer to the pressing direction than the center portion in the contact surface. This is a configuration having rigidity characteristics such that rigidity is reduced.

In the above configuration, when the sabaki sheet is pressed against the sheet feeding roller, the end of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet is more easily bent than the central portion, that is, the waist due to the bending of the sabaki sheet is weakened. This reduces the pressure and frictional force that the sheet receives from the end when the sheet passes between the sabaki sheet and the sheet feeding roller. as a result,
The occurrence of “peeling” or the like can be suppressed.

[0117] The sabaki sheet of the present invention preferably has the rigidity characteristics described above because the thickness in the pressing direction changes in the width direction in the sabaki sheet.

In the above configuration, in order to obtain the rigidity characteristics, the thickness of the sabaki sheet is changed in the width direction of the contact surface, for example, the thickness of the end portion is made smaller than the thickness of the central portion. Thus, the above-described effect can be obtained by performing a simple processing on the mackerel sheet.

Alternatively, in the sabaki sheet of the present invention, it is preferable that the above-mentioned sabaki sheet has a slit cut in the contact surface, and the slit has the rigidity characteristics.

In the above configuration, a slit is formed on the contact surface of the sabaki sheet in order to obtain the rigidity characteristics. Thus, the above-described effect can be obtained by performing a simple processing on the mackerel sheet.

[0121] The sheet feeding roller of the present invention includes a rotatable sheet feeding roller and a sheet feeding sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller. The sheet feeding roller and the sheet feeding roller are pulled by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeding device that separates and passes sheets inserted between the sheets one by one, wherein the length of the contact surface in the width direction differs depending on the position in the vertical direction. Configuration.

In the above configuration, when the sheet passes over the sabaki sheet, the contact position of the corner on the contact surface of the sabaki sheet with the sheet changes in the width direction as the sheet moves. Thus, the influence of the corners of the sabaki sheet on the sheet is dispersed without being concentrated on one place in the sheet, so that occurrence of “peeling” or the like can be suppressed.

The sabaki sheet of the present invention includes a rotatable sheet feed roller and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feed roller. The sheet feed roller and the sabaki sheet are pulled by the rotation of the sheet feed roller. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeding device that separates and passes sheets inserted between the sheets one by one, and is impregnated with a liquid that reduces friction with the sheet, and has a contact surface in a width direction. The central portion has a configuration in which the amount of impregnation of the liquid is smaller than that of the inner end portion.

In the above configuration, since the sabaki sheet is impregnated with the liquid for reducing the friction with the paper, the friction with the paper at the end of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet is reduced, and the occurrence of "peeling" or the like is reduced. Can be suppressed. In addition, by reducing the amount of liquid impregnation in the central part, which is less relevant to the occurrence of "peeling," etc., it is possible to minimize the impregnated liquid from adhering to the paper, and to reduce deterioration in print quality and the like. Can be suppressed.

[0125] The sabaki sheet of the present invention includes a rotatable sheet feed roller and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feed roller. The sheet feed roller and the sabaki sheet are pulled by the rotation of the sheet feed roller. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeding device that separates and passes sheets inserted between the sheets one by one, and has a configuration in which a corner formed by an end in a width direction of a contact surface is chamfered. .

In the above configuration, the corner of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet is chamfered. Thereby, the corner is obtuse, and the pressure contact force of the corner on the sheet is weakened, so that occurrence of “peeling” or the like can be suppressed.

The sabaki pad of the present invention includes a rotatable sheet feed roller and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feed roller. The sheet feed roller and the sabaki sheet are pulled by the rotation of the sheet feed roller. Is used for a paper feeder that separates and passes paper inserted one by one between
What is claimed is: 1. A sabaki pad comprising: a sabaki sheet; and a support for supporting a surface of the sabaki sheet opposed to a surface pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feed roller, wherein the support surface supports the sabaki sheet in the support. In the portion facing the nip region, the end in the width direction of the support surface is cut off.

In the above configuration, the sabaki sheet is not supported at the end in the width direction in the nip region. This makes it easier for the sheet to bend at its end, and the pressure and
Friction is reduced. As a result, occurrence of “peeling” or the like can be suppressed.

The paper feeder of the present invention includes a rotatable paper feed roller and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. A paper feeding device that separates and passes paper inserted between the paper feed roller and the sabaki sheet one by one, wherein when the paper passes between the paper feed roller and the sabaki sheet,
A guide rib for regulating the passage position of the sheet is provided outside the contact surface, and the guide rib moves the sheet in the width direction on the contact surface with respect to the sheet passing between the paper feed roller and the sabaki sheet. Is applied to the sheet feed roller side from the angle formed by the end of the paper feed roller.

[0130] In the above configuration, the guide ribs disposed outside the contact surface of the sabaki sheet reduce the force with which the sheet is pressed at the angle formed by the widthwise end of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet. As a result, occurrence of "peeling" or the like due to the corner can be suppressed.

In the paper feeder of the present invention, in the paper feeder described above, it is preferable that the contact surface has a planar shape, and the guide rib protrudes from a plane including the contact surface toward the paper feed roller.

In the above configuration, since the guide ribs protrude from the plane including the contact surface, the force with which the sheet is pressed against the corner can be reduced more effectively.

[0133] In the sheet feeding device of the present invention, in the sheet feeding device described above, it is preferable that the guide rib is disposed outside the contact surface in the width direction.

In the above configuration, since the guide ribs are arranged on the outer side in the width direction of the contact surface of the sabaki sheet, the force of pressing the sheet against the corner can be reduced more effectively.

In the sheet feeding device of the present invention, in the sheet feeding device described above, it is preferable that the guide rib is disposed outside the contact surface on the downstream side in the sheet passing direction.

In the above configuration, since the guide ribs are arranged outside the downstream side of the sheet in the sheet passing direction of the sabaki sheet, the force of pressing the sheet against the corner can be reduced more effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a sabaki sheet and a support according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a feed roller side.
(B) is a sectional view taken along line AA in (a), and (c) is a side view of the sabaki sheet and the support in (a).

FIG. 2 is an external view of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front left side.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet printer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a peripheral portion of a paper feed roller in the ink jet printer of FIG.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing a configuration of a sheet separating unit and a peripheral portion thereof that constitute a sheet feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. (B) shows the time when paper is not fed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sabaki sheet and a support according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a sheet feeding roller side.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another sabaki sheet according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a sheet feeding roller side.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of a sabaki sheet and a support according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a sheet feeding roller side.
(B) is a sectional view taken along line BB in (a), and (c) is a side view of the sabaki sheet and the support in (a).

FIG. 9A is a plan view of a sabaki sheet and a support according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a sheet feeding roller side.
(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in (a), and (c) is a side view of the sabaki sheet and the support in (a).

FIG. 10 is a side view of a sabaki sheet, a support and side guide ribs according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

11A is a plan view of the sabaki sheet, the support, and the side guide ribs of FIG. 10 when viewed from the paper feed roller side.
(B) is a sectional view taken along line DD in (a).

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a sabaki sheet and a support according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a sheet feeding roller side.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a sabaki sheet and a support according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a sheet feeding roller side.

FIG. 14A is a plan view of a sabaki sheet and a support according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a sheet feed roller side.
(B) shows Eb of the sabaki sheet and support in (a).
FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of the support sheet and the support in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a configuration in which the configurations according to the third, fourth, and sixth embodiments of the present invention are combined.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional paper feeding device employing a fixed paper feeding cassette.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet or a sheet is viewed from the sheet conveyance direction when the sheet is conveyed in the sheet feeding device in FIG. 16;

18 is a graph showing a distribution of frictional force and pressure with respect to a position on a sheet in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction in the sheet feeding device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Paper Feeding Roller 7 Paper Separation Unit 21 Movable Paper Separation Unit 100 Sabaki Sheet 110 Sabaki Sheet 120 Sabaki Sheet 120d Slit 130 Sabaki Sheet 140 Sabaki Sheet 140e Oil Impregnated Area 150 Sabaki Sheet 150f Chamfered Section (Cut Face) 160 Sabaki Sheet 160g Curved Surface Part (R surface) 200 Support 210 Support 210a Depression 220 Support 220a Rear guide rib (guide rib) 230 Support 300 Side guide rib (guide rib) Ed Width end (end) Ct Width center (central) Np Paper feed roller nip position S Paper

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A paper feed roller, comprising: a rotatable paper feed roller; and a sabaki sheet pressed against an outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. What is claimed is: 1. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeder for separating and passing inserted sheets one by one, wherein a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the sheet passes through the sheet feeder is defined as a width direction. When the direction of the force received from the paper feed roller when pressed against the paper feed roller is the pressure contact direction, and the surface that the paper comes into contact with when the paper passes is the contact surface, in the width direction, from the center in the contact surface, A sabaki sheet characterized in that the end portion has a rigidity characteristic such that the rigidity in the pressure contact direction is smaller. 2. The sabaki sheet according to claim 1, wherein the rigidity characteristic is obtained by changing the thickness in the pressing direction in the width direction. 3. The sabaki sheet according to claim 1, wherein a slit cut into the contact surface is formed, and the slit has the rigidity characteristic. 4. A paper feed roller, comprising: a rotatable paper feed roller; and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. What is claimed is: 1. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeder that separates and passes inserted sheets one by one, wherein a direction in which the sheet passes through the sheet feeder is a vertical direction, and is orthogonal to the vertical direction. The width direction of the contact surface is different according to the position in the vertical direction, where the surface in contact with the paper when the paper passes is the contact surface. Sabaki sheet. 5. A paper feed roller, comprising: a rotatable paper feed roller; and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. What is claimed is: 1. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeder for separating and passing inserted sheets one by one, wherein the sheet is impregnated with a liquid for reducing friction with the sheet. If the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the paper passes is the width direction, and the surface that the paper contacts when the paper passes is the contact surface, in the width direction, the center of the liquid is closer to the center than to the inner edge of the contact surface. Sabaki sheet characterized by low impregnation. 6. A paper feed roller, comprising: a rotatable paper feed roller; and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. What is claimed is: 1. A sabaki sheet used for a sheet feeding device that separates and passes a sheet to be inserted one by one, wherein a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the sheet passes through the sheet feeding device is defined as a width direction. A surface in contact with the sheet when the sheet passes through is a contact surface, and a chamfer is formed at an angle formed by an end in a width direction of the contact surface. 7. A paper feed roller, comprising: a rotatable paper feed roller; and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. A support member used for a sheet feeding device that separates and passes the inserted sheets one by one and that supports the above-mentioned subbed sheet and a surface of the subbed sheet opposite to a surface pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the above-mentioned sheet feeding roller. In this sabaki pad, the direction in which the paper passes through the paper feeder is defined as a vertical direction, and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is defined as a width direction. When a region that is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller is a nip region, a width of the support surface at a portion of the support surface of the support that supports the sabaki sheet that faces the nip region. Sabakipaddo the end of the direction is characterized in that it is cut. 8. A paper feed roller, comprising: a rotatable paper feed roller; and a sabaki sheet pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller. A sheet feeding device that separates and passes a sheet to be inserted one by one, wherein in the sabaki sheet, a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the sheet passes is a width direction, and a surface with which the sheet contacts when the sheet passes. When a sheet passes between the paper feed roller and the sabaki sheet, a guide rib for regulating a passing position of the sheet is provided outside the contact surface. Feeding a sheet of paper passing between the sheet feeding roller and the sabaki sheet in a direction to pull the sheet away from the corner formed by the widthwise end of the contact surface toward the sheet feeding roller; Dress . 9. The sheet feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the contact surface has a planar shape, and the guide rib protrudes from a plane including the contact surface toward the sheet supply roller. Paper equipment. 10. The sheet feeding device according to claim 9, wherein the guide rib is disposed outside the contact surface in the width direction. 11. The sheet feeding device according to claim 9, wherein the guide rib is disposed outside the contact surface on the downstream side in the sheet passing direction.