JP2003176040A - Paper feeding device and recording device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeding device causing little peel-off of a tip of a postal card when printing double surfaces of the postal card. <P>SOLUTION: Several number of recording papers are piled and held in a tilting attitude by a hopper 2, and the recording paper held by the hopper are pushed up and brought in pressure-contact with a turning paper feeding roller 1 and a separating pad 4 to be fed one by one to the downstream side from the recording paper positioned at the highest position. A postal card setter 5 is provided removably installed on the hopper and the separating pad when feeding the postal cards. The postal card setter, when it is installed, covers a main body part 7 having a holding surface 6 for holding the piled postal cards in the tilting condition and the separating pad to work in place of the separating pad in relation to the postal cards. A separating pad 8 for the postal cards, of which coefficient of friction when separating is set smaller than that of the separating pad, is movably provided with the movement of the separating pad. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention accumulates and holds a plurality of recording papers (postcards, plain papers, coated papers, OHP sheets, etc.) in an inclined posture, and one by one from the topmost paper to the downstream side. The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that feeds paper to. The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus including the paper feeding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer is one of recording devices,
Some printers include a paper feeding device that feeds recording paper one by one to the downstream side. This paper feeding device is composed of a paper feeding roller having a D-shaped side view, which feeds the recording paper to the downstream side by rotating, and a plate-like member that is long in the width direction of the recording paper. A fulcrum on the upstream side from the pressure contact point with the hopper, which oscillates to separate and press the paper feeding roller, and in the vicinity of the downstream side of the hopper, the paper feeding roller. Placed in opposite positions,
When the paper feed roller rotates, it is provided with a separation pad that comes into pressure contact with the arc portion and separates the uppermost recording paper from the succeeding recording paper. And stacking and holding a plurality of recording papers in an inclined posture, pushing up the recording papers stacked and held by the hopper, and pressing the recording papers by the rotating feed roller and the separation pad. By this, the uppermost recording paper is fed one by one to the downstream side.

[0003]

When the recording paper is a postcard and the postcard is fed by the paper feeding device when printing on both sides of the postcard, depending on the paper quality of the postcard, the separation pad and the feeding pad may be used. It was found that the tip may peel off during printing due to the pressure contact with the paper roller.
In particular, when the other surface (address surface) is printed after printing on one surface of the postcard (communication surface), the tip on the already printed surface (communication surface) side that has been printed may be peeled off thinly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device in which the tip of the postcard is less likely to be peeled off even when printing is performed on both sides of the postcard. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording device including the paper feeding device.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of a sheet feeding device according to claim 1 is a substantially D-shaped side view in which the recording paper is fed to the downstream side by rotating. A sheet feeding roller and a plate-shaped member that is long in the width direction of the recording sheet, and has a swing fulcrum upstream from the pressure contact point with the sheet feeding roller,
By swinging, the hopper is configured to separate and press-contact with the paper feed roller, and the hopper is arranged near the downstream side of the hopper and at a position facing the paper feed roller. A separation pad that presses the arc portion when moving and separates the uppermost recording paper from the recording paper of the next and subsequent recording papers, holds and stacks a plurality of recording papers in an inclined posture, and The recording paper accumulated and held by the hopper is pushed up, and the recording paper is pressed against the rotating paper feed roller and the separation pad to feed the recording paper one by one from the uppermost recording paper to the downstream side. A paper feeding device, comprising a postcard setter that can be detachably mounted on the hopper and the separation pad when the postcard is fed, and the postcard setter accumulates postcards in an inclined state in the mounted state. Retention A main body having a holding surface and a separation pad that covers the separation pad instead of the separation pad for the postcard, and has a friction coefficient at the time of separation smaller than that of the separation pad. And the separation pad portion for postcards is formed so as to be movable following the movement of the separation pad.

According to this feature, when the recording paper is a postcard, a postcard setter that can be detachably attached to the hopper and the separation pad is used, and the postcard setter accumulates and holds the postcard in an inclined state in the mounted state. A main body part having a holding surface, and a separation pad part for the postcard, which covers the separation pad and substitutes the separation pad for the postcard, and has a friction coefficient at the time of separation smaller than that of the separation pad. Since the separation pad portion for postcards is formed so as to be movable following the movement of the separation pad, the postcard can be stably set on the main body portion and the already printed Even if printing is performed on both sides of a postcard having a surface, it is possible to reduce the risk of peeling off the tip, particularly the tip on the already printed side.

That is, the conventionally used separation pad is covered from above with a separation pad portion for postcards, and the friction coefficient at the time of separation of the separation pad portion for postcards is greater than the friction coefficient at the time of separation of the separation pad. Since it is set small, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the postcard when the paper feed roller rotates and the postcard separation pad part presses the postcard to feed it. Becomes Therefore, by feeding the postcard with the paper feeding device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the tip of the postcard, particularly the tip of the already printed side, is peeled off even when printing is performed on both sides of the postcard. Is. Moreover, since the separation pad portion for the postcard can move following the movement of the separation pad, it is possible to further reduce the risk of the tip of the postcard being peeled off by adjusting the load on the postcard.

According to the invention of a sheet feeding device described in claim 2, a D-shaped feeding roller for feeding the recording paper to the downstream side by rotating, and a widthwise direction of the recording paper. And a hopper that is formed of a long plate-like body and has a swing fulcrum upstream from the pressure contact with the sheet feeding roller, and that swings to perform a separation operation and a pressure contact operation with respect to the sheet feeding roller, and the hopper. Is arranged at a position near the downstream side of the sheet feeding roller and faces the sheet feeding roller, and when the sheet feeding roller rotates, the uppermost recording sheet comes into pressure contact with the arc portion of the recording sheet and the recording sheet of the next and subsequent recording sheets. A separation pad for separating from the paper, the plurality of recording papers being stacked and held in an inclined posture, and the recording papers stacked and held by the hopper being pushed up and being rotated, the paper feed roller and the separation pad By pressing the recording paper with Is a sheet feeding device that feeds the sheets one by one to the downstream side, and is provided with a postcard setter that can be detachably mounted on the hopper and the separation pad when the postcard is fed, and the postcard setter is A main body portion having a holding surface for holding and holding the postcards in an inclined state in the mounted state; and a substituting pad for the postcards that covers the separation pad and the paper feed roller rotates. And a separation pad portion for postcards, which is provided with friction members on both sides of the portion in pressure contact with the arc portion, and the separation pad portion for postcards is formed so as to be movable in accordance with the movement of the separation pad. It is characterized by

According to this feature, when the recording paper is a postcard, a postcard setter that can be used by attaching and detaching it on the hopper and the separation pad is provided, and the postcard setter accumulates and holds the postcard in an inclined state in the mounted state. And a main body having a holding surface for covering the separation pad and replacing the separation pad with respect to the postcard, and when the paper feed roller rotates, on both sides of a portion that comes into pressure contact with the arc portion thereof. A postcard separation pad section provided with a friction member, and the postcard separation pad section is formed so as to be movable following the movement of the separation pad, so that the postcard can be stably set on the main body section. It is possible to reduce the risk of peeling the tip, especially the tip on the preprinted surface side, even when performing double-sided printing on a postcard having the already printed surface. It made.

That is, the separation pad which has been used conventionally is covered with a separation pad portion for postcards from above, and the separation pad portion for postcards is in contact with the arc portion of the paper feed roller when it rotates. Since the structure is such that the friction member is provided on the side, when the paper feed roller rotates to press the postcard against the paper feed roller and the separation pad portion for the postcard to feed the postcard, the postcard is There is no direct pressure contact between the paper feed roller and the friction member and a low friction portion of the separation pad portion for postcards where the friction member is not provided and the paper feed roller. It is possible to reduce the load (friction force, etc.) applied to the postcard.
Also in the separation pad portion for the postcard, the topmost postcard can be surely separated from the postcards of the next and higher positions by being pressed against the paper feed roller, so that the postcards can be reliably transferred one by one to the downstream side. Can be fed. Therefore,
By feeding a postcard with the paper feeding device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the risk of peeling the tip of the postcard, particularly the tip of the already printed side, even if printing is performed on both sides of the postcard. . Moreover, since the separation pad portion for postcards can move following the movement of the separation pad, it is possible to further reduce the risk of peeling the tip of the postcard by adjusting the load on the postcard.

According to the invention of a paper feeding device described in claim 3, in claim 1 or 2, the separation pad portion for postcards is held by a pad holder, and the pad holder moves in the mounted state. The contact surface with which the leading end of the postcard abuts is formed by this movement.

According to this feature, the separation pad portion for postcards is held by the pad holder, the pad holder moves in the mounted state, and the movement causes the contact surface with which the tip of the postcard comes into contact. Therefore, it becomes easier to set the postcard on the postcard setter, and the state in which the postcard is set on the main body portion having the holding surface can be a stable state, and the possibility that the set postcard collapses can be reduced. . Further, when the paper feeding roller rotates and the postcards are fed, the postcards are easily separated one by one, and the piled and held postcards can be reliably fed one by one from the top. Becomes

Further, in the invention of the sheet feeding device according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the pad holder is shaken for the pad holder upstream from the pressure contact between the sheet feeding roller and the separation pad portion for the postcard. The pad holder is provided so as to be movable relative to the main body portion that includes a dynamic fulcrum and moves following the separation and pressure contact operation of the hopper with respect to the paper feed roller in the mounted state. It is characterized by

According to this feature, the pad holder is formed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the main body part that moves following the separation and pressure contact operation of the hopper with respect to the paper feed roller in the mounted state. When the paper feed roller rotates and the postcards are fed, the postcards are easily separated one by one, and the piled and held postcards can be reliably fed one by one from the top. Become.

According to the invention of a sheet feeding device described in claim 5, in any one of claims 1 to 4, a position on the downstream side of the main body portion and facing the sheet feeding roller. In addition, a holding member for postcards is provided at a portion that comes into pressure contact with the arc portion when the paper feeding roller rotates.

According to this feature, the postcard is provided on the downstream side of the main body, at a position facing the sheet feeding roller, and when the sheet feeding roller rotates, the portion that comes into pressure contact with the arc portion thereof. Since the holding member is provided, the postcards accumulated and held in the main body can be reliably fed one by one from the uppermost position to the downstream side. That is, when the paper feed roller is rotated to feed the uppermost postcard,
With the holding member for postcards, the postcards that are in contact with the holding member for postcards are held in that position by their holding force (friction force, etc.), and based on this, for all postcards that are piled up and held. The holding force can be applied to hold the postcards of the next and higher positions in the main body, and the possibility of feeding a plurality of sheets at the same time can be eliminated.

According to the invention of a paper feeding apparatus described in claim 6, in any one of claims 1 to 5, the invention is deposited and held on at least one side of the main body. It is characterized in that a postcard side edge position restricting portion for restricting the side edge position of the postcard is provided.

According to this feature, at least one side of the main body portion is provided with the postcard side edge position regulating portion for regulating the side edge position of the postcard accumulated and held in the main body portion. The accumulated retention state of the postcards that are retained,
It is possible to achieve a stable state.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the paper feeding device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the postcard side surface position restricting portion is
Further, a postcard separation restriction portion that restricts the postcard from moving away from the main body portion is provided at a position that is substantially parallel to the holding surface and faces the holding surface.

According to this feature, since the postcard side edge position restricting portion further includes the postcard separating / restricting portion, it is possible to more stably hold the postcard held in the main body. . In particular, even if the postcard is greatly warped or deformed, such as curling, the postcard separation control portion can prevent the postcard from coming off or tilting from the main body portion.

Further, in the invention of the sheet feeding device described in claim 8, in claim 6 or 7, the postcard side edge position regulating portion is provided only on a side closer to the sheet feeding roller. It is characterized by

When the postcard is deformed such as warped or curled, the paper feed roller and the postcard separation pad portion are not biased to the central portion of the postcard but to one side. When the postcard is pressed with and, the deformation causes the postcard to greatly tilt toward the side where it is biased,
Paper may not be fed. Therefore, according to the feature of the present invention, since the postcard side edge position restricting portion is provided on the side closer to the paper feed roller, even if the postcard is deformed such as warped or curled, the postcard can be stably maintained. It is possible to feed postcards.

According to the invention of a sheet feeding device described in claim 9, in any one of claims 3 to 8, a recessed portion which is recessed from the holding surface is provided at an end portion on the downstream side of the main body portion. If the pad holder is provided in the recess and the inner wall forming the recess is located in the vicinity of the side of the postcard to be set, it is located between the inner wall and the side of the post. The main body is characterized by being formed into an inclined surface that gradually lowers the height of its holding surface toward the downstream side.

According to this feature, since the inclined surface is formed on the main body, it is possible to reduce the risk that part of the corners of the postcard held on the holding surface of the main body will enter the recess. Is. That is, when the recess is provided in the main body and is located near the side of the postcard on which the recess is set, the corners of the postcard and the like are likely to enter the recess. However, according to the present invention, since the inclined surface is formed in that portion of the main body portion where the corners of the postcard and the like easily enter, the risk that the corners of the postcard and the like enter the recess can be reduced. In addition, even if a postcard enters the recess, the inserted postcard can be easily removed from the recess, and the postcard can be stably fed. In particular, when the postcard is deformed such as curl, the postcard is likely to enter the concave portion, so that the utility value of the present invention is remarkable.

It should be noted that the inclined surface is provided so that a corner of a postcard or the like is easily inserted into the recess, and when both inner walls of the recess are located in the vicinity of a side of the postcard, both of them are provided. An inclined surface will be provided.

According to the invention of a paper feeding device described in claim 10, in any one of claims 1 to 9, the postcard is provided near the upstream side of the postcard held in the main body. It is characterized in that a postcard stopper is provided to prevent separation from the main body.

The postcards piled up and held in the main body part may not be able to maintain the holding state due to vibrations generated at the time of paper feeding or printing. Further, the paper feeding device may be provided with a recording paper returning member that pushes the recording papers of the next and subsequent recording papers upstream after passing the recording paper of the highest recording paper fed by the paper supply roller. In many cases, particularly, relatively small recording paper such as postcards may move largely upward due to the pushing back action of the recording paper returning member. Therefore, according to a feature of the present invention, a postcard stopper that prevents the postcards from being separated from the main body portion is provided in the vicinity of the upstream side of the postcard held in the main body portion. Even if an upward force is applied to the held postcard by the recording paper returning member, the held state of the postcard can be maintained.

According to the invention of a paper feeding device described in claim 11, in any one of claims 1 to 10,
An engagement means for detachably attaching the postcard setter to the hopper is provided at a contact portion of the postcard setter with the hopper.

According to this feature, the postcard setter is provided with engaging means for detachably attaching the postcard setter to the hopper at the contact portion with the hopper of the postcard setter. It is possible to attach it to and remove it easily. Further, by mounting the postcard setter on the hopper, it becomes possible to automatically bring the postcard separation pad portion into a state of covering the separation pad, and the work is easy.

Further, the invention of a postcard setter described in claim 12 is characterized in that any one of claims 1 to 11 is described. According to this feature, when the recording paper is a postcard, the postcard can be set stably on the main body, and even if double-sided printing of a postcard having an already printed surface is performed, the postcard can be set. It is possible to reduce the risk of peeling off the tip of the sheet, especially the tip on the printed side.

Further, in the invention of a recording apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a recording section for recording on a recording sheet and a sheet discharging section for discharging the recording sheet recorded by the recording section. A recording apparatus including the sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. According to this feature, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus in which the leading edge is less likely to be peeled off even when printing is performed on both sides of the postcard, and the above-described respective operational effects can be obtained as the recording apparatus.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a paper feeding device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a postcard setter according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a postcard setter according to the present invention. 4, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer that can include the paper feeding device, FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the printer, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged main portion showing a state in which a postcard setter is attached to the printer. FIG. 7 is a perspective view, FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing a state of setting a postcard on a postcard setter, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing a state of setting a postcard on a postcard setter. 9 is a main part perspective view showing the paper feeding device before setting the postcard setter, and FIG. 10 is a side view of the main part showing the paper feeding device before setting the postcard setter.

The paper feeding device is a paper feeding roller 1 having a substantially D-shape in side view.
And a hopper 2 composed of a plate-like member that is long in the width direction of the recording paper.
And a separation pad 4 provided near the downstream side of the hopper 2 and at a position facing the paper feed roller 1. By rotating the paper feed roller 1, the recording paper P can be fed to the downstream side, and is driven to rotate by one rotation during one paper feeding operation by a driving means (not shown). It is like this. The hopper 2 is provided with a swing fulcrum 42 on the upstream side from the pressure contact point with the sheet feeding roller 1, and by swinging, it is possible to perform a separating operation and a pressure contact operation with respect to the sheet feeding roller 1. It is possible to stack and hold a plurality of recording papers in an inclined posture. When the paper feed roller 1 is rotated, the separation pad 4 is brought into pressure contact with the arc portion 3 of the paper feed roller 1, so that the uppermost recording paper can be separated from the recording paper of the next and subsequent recording papers.

With such a structure, a plurality of recording papers P are piled up and held in the hopper 2 in an inclined posture, and the recording papers P are pushed up and rotated by the pressure contact operation of the hopper 2 against the paper feed roller 1. Paper feed roller 1 and separation pad 4
By pressing the recording papers between and, it is possible to feed the accumulated recording papers one by one from the uppermost position to the downstream side.

Further, in the paper feeding device as described above, the friction coefficient between the paper feeding roller 1 and the recording paper is μ1,
When the coefficient of friction between the recording paper and the separation pad 4 is μ2, and the coefficient of friction between the deposited and held recording paper is μ3, μ
It is necessary to configure the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad 4 so that the relationship of 1>μ2> μ3 is established. Therefore, at least the surface of the arc portion 3 of the paper feed roller 1 is formed of a high friction material (eg, rubber). Further, the separation pad 4 is made of a material (for example, cork) whose friction coefficient with respect to the recording paper is smaller than the friction coefficient of the paper feed roller 1 such that μ1> μ2, and the biasing means 43 such as a spring. When the paper feed roller 1 rotates and the recording paper is pressed against the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad 4, the separation pad 4 is provided. Can be biased against the paper feed roller 1. Of course, it goes without saying that the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad 4 are made of a material having a friction coefficient larger than that of the recording paper.

Further, a friction holding member 81 is provided on the downstream side of the hopper 2 at a position where the arc portion 3 of the paper feeding roller 1 contacts when the paper feeding roller 1 rotates. Similar to the separation pad 4, the friction holding member 81 presses the arc portion 3 of the paper feed roller 1 when the paper feed roller 1 rotates, and separates the uppermost recording paper from the succeeding recording paper. You can do it. That is, when the paper feed roller 1 is rotated to feed the uppermost recording paper, the friction holding member 81
Holds the recording paper in contact with the friction holding member 81 at that position by its holding force (friction force or the like),
Based on this, a holding force is applied to the entire recording paper accumulated and held there, and only the uppermost recording paper is separated while the second and subsequent recording papers are held in the hopper 2. It can be done.

After the uppermost recording paper fed by the paper feed roller 1 has passed near the downstream side of the hopper 2,
A recording paper returning member 91 for pushing back the recording paper after the next one toward the upstream side is provided.

Further, the paper feeding device is provided with a postcard setter 5 which can be detachably mounted on the hopper 2 and the separation pad 4 when the postcard is fed. As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the postcard setter 5 has a main structure having a holding surface 6 for holding and holding the postcard in an inclined state in the mounted state, and the separation pad 4 from above to cover the postcard. On the other hand, a postcard separation pad portion 8 is provided instead of the separation pad 4. The width of the main body portion 7 matches the holding surface 6, and the width of the main body portion 7 is formed to be substantially equal to the width of the postcard. Separation pad part 8 for postcards
Are held by a pad holder 11, and the pad holder 11 is provided in a recess 14 recessed from the holding surface 6 of the main body 7. The structure of the main body 7 may be a multi-layer structure as shown in FIG. 2 or a single-layer structure as shown in FIG.

On one side of the main body portion 7 which is closer to the paper feed roller 1 in the mounted state, a postcard side position regulating portion 22 having a postcard separation regulating portion 23 is provided, and the postcard is The part 7 can be stably held. The postcard side edge position restricting portion 22 can reduce the risk that the postcard held by the main body portion 7 will come off in the lateral direction, and the postcard accumulation state can be reduced.
It is possible to achieve a stable state. Further, since the postcard side edge position regulating portion 22 is further provided with the postcard separation regulating portion 23, for example, it becomes possible to regulate the separation of the postcard from the main body portion to the upper direction, which is more stable. In this state, the postcard can be held by the main body 7.

For example, when the postcard is deformed such as warped, the postcard may be dislocated from the main body 7 or tilted. Therefore, the postcard may not be able to be fed to the downstream side, or may not be fed in the correct posture. However, the postcard side edge position regulating portion 22 including the postcard separation regulating portion 23
As a result, the postcard can be stably held on the main body 7. Further, when the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad portion 8 for postcards are pressed against each other in a state where the paper feed roller 1 is not biased to the central portion of the postcard and is biased to either side, the deformation causes the postal card to be greatly inclined. Although the paper may not be printed in some cases, the postcard side edge position regulating unit 22 including the postcard separation regulating unit 23 is provided closer to the paper feeding roller 1 and therefore stably supplies the postcard. It becomes possible to make paper.

Therefore, it is possible to feed the recording papers accumulated and held one by one from the uppermost one in a correct posture. The postcard side position restricting portion 22 is made of a flexible material, and the work of setting the postcard on the postcard setter 5 can be easily performed in the mounted state.

Further, the main body portion on the downstream side end portion of the main body portion 7, which is located in the vicinity of the postcard side of the inner wall 18 forming the concave portion 14 recessed from the holding surface 6, has the holding surface 6. It is formed on the inclined surface 17 whose height is gradually lowered toward the downstream side, so that it is possible to reduce the risk that a corner of a postcard or the like will enter the recess 14. In other words, the inner wall 1 forming the recess 14 near the side of the postcard held by the main body 7
8 is located, a part of the corner of the postcard is recessed 14
There is a risk of getting in. However, by forming the inclined surface 17, it is possible to reduce the risk that the corners of the postcard and the like enter the recess 14, and even if the postcard enters the recess 14, the entered postcard can be easily removed from the recess 14. The postcard can be fed stably. In particular, when the postcard is deformed such as curl, the postcard is likely to enter the concave portion 14, and therefore the utility value of the inclined surface 17 is remarkable.
The inclined surface 17 is provided on the side where the corners of the postcard easily enter the recess 14, and when both of the inner side walls 18 of the recess 14 are located near the sides of the postcard,
Both can be provided with inclined surfaces.

Further, a postcard stopper 21 which is detachable from the main body 7 is attached to the upper end of the main body 7, which is near the upstream side of the held postcard, so that vibration caused during paper feeding or printing, etc. By the action of, the postcard can be stably held in the main body portion 7. In particular, when the paper feeding device is provided with the recording paper returning member 91 described above, the recording paper returning member 91 pushes back the recording paper (postcard) after the next one toward the upstream side. However, there is a risk that the piled and held postcard will move a large amount upward, making it impossible to maintain the piled and held state, but this can be prevented.

Further, the friction coefficient is adjusted at a position downstream of the main body portion 7, at a position facing the sheet feeding roller 1, and when the sheet feeding roller 1 rotates, the portion which comes into pressure contact with the arc portion 3 thereof. The postcard holding member 13 is provided. The postcard holding member 13 replaces the friction holding member 81 provided in the hopper 2. Then, the postcards accumulated and held in the main body portion 7 can be reliably fed one by one from the uppermost position to the downstream side.

That is, when the paper feed roller 1 is rotated to feed the uppermost postcard, the postcard holding member 13 causes the postcard in contact with the postcard holding member 13 to have a holding force (friction force). Etc.), and the holding force is applied to the entire postcard accumulated and held thereat based on this, and the postcards of the second and subsequent positions can be held in the main body portion 7, and a plurality of postcards can be held. At the same time, it is possible to eliminate the risk of paper being fed.

The separation pad portion 8 for postcards is arranged at a position facing the paper feed roller 1, and when the paper feed roller 1 is rotated, a Teflon portion is made in pressure contact with the arc portion 3. A (registered trademark) coat layer 10 is provided so that the friction coefficient at the time of separation is smaller than that of the friction members 9, 9 described later. In addition, both sides of the Teflon (registered trademark) coat layer 10, that is, both sides of a portion that comes into pressure contact with the arc portion 3 when the paper feed roller 1 rotates (that is, pressure contact with the arc portion 3 of the paper feed roller 1). Friction members [Clarino (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.)] 9, 9 are provided at the positions close to the positions where they are turned on. With such a configuration, when the postcard is fed, the postcard is pressed between the circular arc portion 3 of the paper feed roller 1 and the Teflon (registered trademark) coat layer 10 of the postcard separation pad portion 8, and There is no direct pressure contact between the arcuate portion 3 of the paper roller 1 and the friction members 9, 9. Therefore, the separation pad portion 8 for postcards is set so that the friction coefficient at the time of separation is smaller than that of the separation pad 4, and the paper feed roller 1 rotates to separate the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad portion 8 for postcards. The load (friction force, etc.) applied to the postcard can be reduced when the postcard is pressed and fed. That is, when the postcard is pressed against the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad portion 8 for the postcard, and the postcard is fed to the downstream side, the load applied to the post in the press-contact-holding state is reduced. This makes it possible to prevent the tip of the postcard from peeling off even if a postcard that may be peeled off is fed.

Therefore, the load (friction force, etc.) applied to the postcard by feeding the postcard with the paper feeding device.
It is possible to reduce the size of the postcard, and it is possible to reduce the risk that the tip of the postcard, especially the tip of the already printed surface side, will peel off even if printing is performed on both sides of the postcard. In the present embodiment, the friction coefficient at the time of separation of the postcard separation pad portion 8 is set by setting the arc portion 3 on both sides of the postcard separation pad portion 8, that is, when the paper feed roller 1 is rotated. The friction members [Clarino (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.)] 9 and 9 provided on both sides of the portion that is pressed against. Further, in the postcard separation pad portion 8 having such a configuration, the topmost postcard accumulated and held in the main body portion 7 can be reliably separated from the next and subsequent postcards, so that one postcard is provided. Paper can be reliably fed to the downstream side one by one.

The postcard separation pad portion 8 is held by a pad holder 11, and the pad holder 11 is provided in a concave portion 14 recessed from the holding surface 6 of the main body portion 7 and with the paper feed roller 1. The pad holder swinging fulcrum 93 (FIG. 2) is provided on the upstream side of the pressure contact so that the pad holder can be swung. By this swing, in the mounted state,
The separation pad portion 8 for postcards is movable relative to the main body portion 7 so that the contact surface 12 with which the tip of the postcard to be set contacts can be exposed or hidden. When the paper roller 1 is rotated, it is possible to follow the movement of the separation pad 4 that moves with the pressure contact between the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad portion 8 for the postcard.

That is, in the mounted state of the postcard setter 5, the contact surface 12 appears, and when the postcard is set on the postcard setter 5, the tip of the postcard comes into contact with the contact surface 1.
It comes in contact with 2. And the paper feed roller 1
When the postcards are rotated to feed the postcards to the downstream side, the main body portion 7 is pushed up by the pressure contact operation of the hopper 2 with respect to the feed roller 1, and the pad holder 11 holding the postcard separation pad portions 8 is relatively moved. To the contact surface 12
In addition to hiding, the paper feed roller 1 and the separation pad portion 8 for the postcard can follow the movement of the separation pad 4 that moves with pressure contact.

Further, the contact portion 25 of the postcard setter 5 which is in contact with the hopper 2 is provided with a not-shown engaging means so that the postcard setter 5 can be freely attached to and detached from the hopper 2 and the postcard setter 5 can be attached to the hopper. The postcard setter 5 does not move relative to the hopper 2 when it is mounted on the hopper 2.

Next, a procedure for mounting the postcard setter 5 on the recording apparatus and holding the postcard 19 on the postcard setter 5 in the mounted state will be described. In addition, here, an inkjet printer will be used as the recording apparatus for description. The inkjet printer 30, as shown in FIG.
The recording paper is fed from a paper feed unit 31 equipped with a paper feed device, printed by a recording unit (not shown), and then ejected from a paper ejection unit 32 on the front side.

First, the other members such as the recording paper support 33 provided in the paper feed unit 31 are removed so that the postcard setter 5 can be mounted. After that, as shown in FIG. 5, the movable edge guide 41 is moved according to the size of the recording paper to match the postcard width. And
As shown in FIG. 6, the postcard setter 5 is attached to the inkjet printer 3 along the edge guide 41 and the hopper 2.
It is possible to obtain the state shown in FIG. 1 by moving it from the rear of 0 in the direction of the arrow and mounting it on the inkjet printer 30. At this time, postcard separation pad portion 8
Is arranged so as to cover the separation pad 4 from above, and is configured to be immovably attached to the hopper 2 by the engaging means of the postcard setter 5. The postcard setter 5 is provided with a postcard stopper 21 in advance.

To set a postcard on the postcard setter 5 mounted on the ink jet printer 30,
As shown in FIG. 7, the postcard 19 is moved in the direction of the arrow from above the inkjet printer 30, and the postcard setter 5 is moved.
Set to. At this time, the tip of the postcard 19 is in contact with the contact surface 12. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
9 can be tilted in the direction of the postcard setter 5, which is the direction of the arrow, so that the holding surface 6 of the postcard setter 5 can be deposited and held in an inclined state. In addition, postcard 1
9 may be one or more. In this embodiment, up to 30 postcards can be set. Of course, the recording device is not limited to the ink jet printer, and other devices such as a FAX device can be used.

[0054]

When the recording paper is a postcard, a postcard setter which can be detachably used on the hopper and the separation pad is provided, and the postcard setter has a holding surface for accumulating and holding the postcard in an inclined state in the mounted state. A main body portion having and a separation pad portion for a postcard, which covers the separation pad and substitutes for the separation pad for the postcard, and which has a friction coefficient at the time of separation smaller than that of the separation pad, Since the separation pad portion for postcards is formed so as to be movable following the movement of the separation pad, it is possible to stably set the postcards on the main body portion, and also for the postcards having the already printed surface. Even if printing is performed on both sides, it is possible to reduce the risk that the tip of the postcard, especially the tip on the side of the already printed surface, will peel off.

That is, the separation pad which has been conventionally used is covered from above with the separation pad portion for postcards, and the friction coefficient at the time of separation of the separation pad portion for postcards is larger than the friction coefficient at the time of separation of the separation pad. Since it is set small, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the postcard when the paper feed roller rotates and the postcard separation pad part presses the postcard to feed it. Becomes Therefore, by feeding the postcard with the paper feeding device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the tip of the postcard, particularly the tip of the already printed side, is peeled off even when printing is performed on both sides of the postcard. Is.

[0056]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a paper feeding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a postcard setter according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a postcard setter according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer that can include the paper feeding device.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the printer.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing a state in which a postcard setter is attached to the printer.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing a state where a postcard is set on the postcard setter.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of essential parts showing a state in which a postcard has been set on the postcard setter.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part of the sheet feeding device before the postcard setter is set.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the main parts of the sheet feeding device before the postcard setter is set.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Paper feed roller 2 hoppers 3 arc part 4 Separation pad 5 postcard setters 6 holding surface 7 Main body Separation pad for 8 postcards 9 Friction member (clarino) 10 Teflon (registered trademark) coat layer 11 Pad holder 12 Contact surface 13 Postcard holding member 14 recess 17 Inclined surface 18 Inner wall 19 postcards 21 Postcard stopper 22 Postcard side position control unit 23 Postcard separation control department 25 Contact part 30 inkjet printer 31 paper feeder 32 paper output section 33 Recording paper support 41 Edge guide 42 Swing fulcrum 43 biasing means 81 Friction holding member 91 Recording paper returning member 93 Swing fulcrum for pad holder P Recording paper

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3F343 FA15 FB01 FC23 GA02 GB01                       GC01 GD01 HA22 HA31 HB07                       HC02 HC06 HD17 HE14 JA07                       JD08 KB13 LA02 LA16 LB08

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A paper feed roller having a substantially D shape in a side view, which feeds a recording paper to a downstream side by rotating, and a plate-like member which is long in the width direction of the recording paper. A fulcrum on the upstream side from the pressure contact of the hopper, and by oscillating, a hopper that separates and presses the paper feed roller, and in the vicinity of the downstream side of the hopper, the paper feed roller. When the paper feed rollers are rotated at the opposite positions,
A separation pad that presses against the arc portion and separates the uppermost recording paper from the next and subsequent recording papers, holds a plurality of recording papers in an inclined posture, and holds them by the hopper. A paper feeding device that pushes up the recording paper thus formed and presses the recording paper with the rotating paper feed roller and the separation pad to feed the recording paper one by one from the uppermost recording paper to the downstream side. A postcard setter that can be detachably mounted on the hopper and the separation pad when the postcard is fed, and the postcard setter has a holding surface for holding and holding the postcard in an inclined state in the mounted state. And a portion for the postcard that covers the separation pad and replaces the separation pad with respect to the postcard, and that has a friction coefficient at the time of separation smaller than that of the separation pad. It includes a pad portion, a sheet feeding apparatus to which the postcard separation pad portion is characterized by being movably formed so as to follow the movement of the separation pad. 2. A paper feed roller having a substantially D shape in a side view, which feeds the recording paper to the downstream side by rotating, and a plate-like member that is long in the width direction of the recording paper. A fulcrum on the upstream side from the pressure contact of the hopper, and by oscillating, a hopper that separates and presses the paper feed roller, and in the vicinity of the downstream side of the hopper, the paper feed roller. When the paper feed rollers are rotated at the opposite positions,
A separation pad that presses against the arc portion and separates the uppermost recording paper from the next and subsequent recording papers, holds a plurality of recording papers in an inclined posture, and holds them by the hopper. A paper feeding device that pushes up the recording paper thus formed and presses the recording paper with the rotating paper feed roller and the separation pad to feed the recording paper one by one from the uppermost recording paper to the downstream side. A postcard setter that can be detachably mounted on the hopper and the separation pad when the postcard is fed, and the postcard setter has a holding surface for holding and holding the postcard in an inclined state in the mounted state. A main body portion having a cover and a separation pad that covers the separation pad and replaces the separation pad, and when the paper feed roller rotates, it is provided on both sides of a portion that comes into pressure contact with the arc portion thereof. Friction member and a postcard separation pad portion is provided with sheet feeding apparatus to which the postcard separation pad portion is characterized by being movably formed so as to follow the movement of the separation pad. 3. The postcard separation pad portion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the postcard separation pad portion is held by a pad holder, the pad holder moves in the mounted state, and the movement causes a contact surface with which a tip of the postcard abuts. A sheet feeding device which is formed so as to appear. 4. The pad holder according to claim 3, wherein the pad holder includes a swing fulcrum for pad holder upstream from a pressure contact between the paper feed roller and the separation pad portion for postcard, and the hopper of the hopper in the mounted state. A sheet feeding device, wherein the pad holder is formed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the main body portion that moves following the separation and press contact operation with respect to the sheet feeding roller. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the downstream side of the main body portion is a position facing the paper feed roller, and the paper feed roller is rotated. A paper feeding device, characterized in that a holding member for a postcard is provided at a position where it comes into pressure contact with the arc portion. 6. The postcard side position regulation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which regulates a side position of a postcard deposited and held on the main body portion on at least one side of the main body portion. A sheet feeding device, which is provided with a section. 7. The postcard side surface position restricting portion according to claim 6, further restricting the postcard from moving away from the main body at a position substantially parallel to the holding surface and facing the holding surface. A paper feeding device, which is provided with a postcard separation control section. 8. The paper feeding device according to claim 6, wherein the postcard side edge position restricting portion is provided only on a side closer to the paper feeding roller. 9. The recess according to claim 3, wherein a recess recessed from the holding surface is provided at an end portion on the downstream side of the main body, and the pad holder is provided in the recess. In addition, when the inner wall forming the recess is located near the side of the postcard to be set, the main body located between the inner wall and the side of the postcard has the height of its holding surface downstream. A sheet feeding device, wherein the sheet feeding device is formed on an inclined surface that gradually lowers toward the front. 10. The postcard stopper according to claim 1, wherein a postcard stopper for preventing postcards from being separated from the main body is provided in the vicinity of an upstream side of the postcard held by the main body. A paper feeding device characterized in that 11. The engaging means for detachably attaching the postcard setter to the hopper at a contact portion of the postcard setter with the hopper according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A sheet feeding device characterized by being provided. 12. A postcard setter according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13. A recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit for recording on a recording paper; and a paper discharge unit for discharging the recording paper on which the recording has been performed, the recording apparatus further comprising: 12. A recording apparatus comprising the sheet feeding device according to claim 11.