JP2004067299A - Sheet bundle separating device, sheet supplying device with the device, image reading device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which efficiently and surely forms an image sheet by sheet while preventing failure of sheet supply such as double feeding of sheets and sheet jam and reducing user's burden. <P>SOLUTION: A manuscript bundle separating device 100 is equipped with a manuscript stand 102 on which the manuscript bundle P is laid, a raising-up mechanism 110 to raise up so as to bend the end part of one side of the manuscript bundle, and an abutting part 108 receiving another end part of the manuscript bundle so that the manuscript bundle is not misaligned when one end of the manuscript bundle is raised up. The manuscript is bent and separated raising up one end part of the manuscript bundle with the raising-up mechanism 110 in a state where another end part of the manuscript bundle is received by the abutting part 108. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet bundle separating apparatus that separates a sheet bundle, a sheet feeding apparatus that includes the sheet bundle separating apparatus and supplies a sheet to an apparatus that requires a sheet, and a sheet bundle separating apparatus that includes the sheet bundle separating apparatus. The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads a document that has been separated by a sheet bundle, and an image forming apparatus that includes the sheet bundle separating apparatus and forms an image on a sheet that has been separated by the sheet bundle separating apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as scanners, fax machines, and copiers, when automatically inputting and outputting a large amount of original data at a time, load originals at predetermined positions in advance. I have. Manuscripts include various sheets such as checks, checks, office papers, drawings, catalogs, and magazines.
[0003]
In the image forming apparatus, when a document is collectively copied or converted into electronic data, the document is read by a document reading device that is an image reading device. The document reading device reads a document supplied by a document supply device that is a sheet supply device.
[0004]
The image forming apparatus is configured such that when a document to be read is loaded by the user on the table of the document supply apparatus and a copy start command or an image reading command is issued, the document supply apparatus causes the top surface of the document loaded on the table to be read. Alternatively, the original is sequentially supplied one by one from the lowermost surface to the original reading apparatus, and the original reading apparatus performs copying and reading of the image of the original.
[0005]
Next, a case in which a bundle of documents is converted into electronic data using an image reading device provided with a document supply device will be described. The image reading device at this time will be described with reference to FIG.
[0006]
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a document reading device, which is an example of an image reading device that includes a document supply device and converts a document bundle into electronic data, along a document conveyance direction.
[0007]
The configuration of the document reading device 500 will be described. The document reading device 500 includes a mounting table 501 on which the document bundle P is stacked, a pickup roller 502 for conveying a document stacked on the mounting table 501 to a paper feeding unit, and a conveying roller for conveying the document to image reading units 505a and 505b. A paper feed roller 503, a separation roller 504 for separating the originals to be transported to image reading units 505a and 505b for reading the originals one by one, image reading units 505a and 505b, a transport roller pair 506 for transporting the originals, and a read original. A sheet ejection table 507 for ejection is provided. In the above-described configuration, the mounting table 501 on which the document bundle is stacked, and the pickup roller 502 that transports the documents stacked on the mounting table 501 to the sheet feeding unit constitute a document supply device 508.
[0008]
The operation of the document reading device 500 will be described. First, the document bundle P is stacked on the mounting table 501 by the user. Thereafter, when an image reading command is instructed by the user, the loaded document bundle is conveyed from the upper surface between the sheet feeding roller 503 and the separation roller 504 by the pickup roller 502. The sent original is supplied to image forming units 505a and 505b by paper feed roller 503. At this time, the second and subsequent document bundles are separated by the reverse rotation of the separation roller 504. The document supplied by the paper feed roller 503 is conveyed to the image reading units 505a and 505b, and is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 507 by the conveyance roller pair 506 while reading the image data.
[0009]
By performing this image reading operation on each of the stacked originals, all image information on the original bundle is stored as electronic data in a storage device (not shown). Note that these series of operations are all automatically performed after an image reading command is instructed.
[0010]
The document reading apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 13 uses an image forming unit, such as a photosensitive drum, instead of the image reading units 505a and 505b as a recording medium supply device that supplies a recording medium, and When a fixing device is provided on the downstream side of the image forming unit, a printer is obtained. The printer forms a toner image carried on a photosensitive drum based on electronic data on a recording medium supplied from a recording medium supply device, and heats and presses the recording medium with a fixing device to record the image. An image is formed on a medium.
[0011]
The above-described document supply device and recording medium supply device are collectively referred to as a sheet supply device, and a document, a recording medium, and the like are referred to as sheets.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a sheet feeding device, for example, a document feeding device, depending on the bundle of documents, the attraction force between the documents is so strong that the documents cannot be easily separated in many cases. For example, in a case where the image reading apparatus reads the originals by the image reading units 505a and 505b by using the image reading units 505a and 505b, the originals are attached to the original. Since it is not possible to accurately perform a sheet feeding operation for reading one document at a time, originals may be supplied while a plurality of originals are stacked.
[0013]
As described above, the image reading apparatus supplied with a plurality of originals stacked on each other must cause the originals to be damaged or to lose the image information, thereby damaging the originals or re-reading the originals. Did not.
[0014]
Also, as measures to avoid jamming of the originals and missing image information, the originals stuck by the adsorption force are previously hand-pulled to reduce the adsorption force, or an operation of turning over the original bundle one by one is performed. It is common practice to introduce air between the documents to further reduce the suction force so that the documents can be easily supplied. In particular, originals such as gravure and catalogs mainly containing photographic images, originals that have been stored for a long time and originals are pressed, and so on can be reliably and automatically supplied by the sorting operation.
[0015]
The separating operation itself does not require much labor for a few originals. However, the task of converting documents into electronic data at offices handling a large number of manuscripts may place an excessive burden on users.
[0016]
In addition, when performing the electronic data conversion operation without performing the sorting operation, if a document feeding device causes a document feeding failure such as a double feed or a document jam, the document reading device may cause a missing read image or damage the document. There is. Therefore, when a document supply failure occurs in the document supply device, the user compares the document with the read data, and starts over from a document that has not been read. turn into.
[0017]
As described above, when the separating operation is performed manually, it takes time, effort, and time, and the document supply efficiency is low. In addition, if the discarding operation is omitted with the spare time and effort, the recovery operation must be performed, and the efficiency of document supply is further reduced.
[0018]
Note that the above problem has also occurred in the recording medium supply device.
[0019]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet bundle sorting apparatus that automatically performs a sorting operation.
[0020]
The present invention includes a sheet bundle separating apparatus as one of the constituent elements, and prevents a sheet feeding defect such as double feeding of sheets and sheet jamming while reducing a burden on a user and maximizing a sheet feeding performance of the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeding apparatus that draws out sheets as much as possible and reliably supplies sheets one by one efficiently.
[0021]
The present invention includes a sheet bundle separating device as one of the constituent elements, and prevents a sheet supply defect such as a double feed of sheets and a sheet jam, while reducing a burden on a user and reducing an image formed on a sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that efficiently and surely reads one sheet at a time.
[0022]
The present invention includes a sheet bundle separating device as one of the constituent elements, and prevents a sheet supply defect such as a double feed of sheets, a sheet jam, and the like, and reduces a burden on a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that efficiently and surely forms an image.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a sheet separating apparatus includes a placing unit on which a sheet bundle is placed, a lifting unit that lifts one end of the sheet bundle so as to bend, and one end of the sheet bundle. Regulating means for regulating the other end of the sheet bundle so that the sheet bundle is not shifted when the sheet bundle is lifted.
[0024]
In the sheet bundle sorting apparatus of the present invention, the lifting means includes a supporting means for supporting one end of the sheet bundle, and a lifting member for lifting the supporting means.
[0025]
In the sheet bundle sorting apparatus of the present invention, the support means has a support member provided on the lifting member and supporting one end of the sheet bundle.
[0026]
In the sheet bundle sorting apparatus of the present invention, the supporting means includes a receiving member provided on the lifting member, which is located on an upper surface of one end of the sheet bundle, and supports one end of the sheet bundle. A holding member for holding an end between the receiving member and the receiving member.
[0027]
In the sheet bundle sorting apparatus of the present invention, the regulating means has a receiving member for receiving the other end of the sheet bundle so as not to shift the sheet bundle when one end of the sheet bundle is lifted. ing.
[0028]
In the sheet bundle sorting apparatus of the present invention, the regulating means includes a receiving member that receives the other end of the sheet bundle so as not to shift the sheet bundle when one end of the sheet bundle is lifted; And a pressing member for pressing the other end of the sheet received by the receiving member against the placing means.
[0029]
The sheet bundle sorting apparatus of the present invention includes an air blowing unit that blows air from a side surface of the sheet.
[0030]
In order to achieve the above object, a sheet supply device includes a sheet bundle separation device that separates sheets, and sheet supply means that supplies and conveys the sheets separated by the sheet bundle separation device, wherein the sheet bundle separation device is configured to perform the above-described operation. Any one of the sheet bundle sorting apparatuses.
[0031]
In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus includes: a document bundle sorting device that sorts a document; a document supply unit that supplies and conveys the document sorted by the document bundle sorting device; and a document bundle that is supplied by the document supply unit. Image reading means for reading an image, wherein the document bundle sorting device is the sheet bundle sorting device described in any one of the above, and the sheet is a document.
[0032]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus includes a sheet bundle sorting device that sorts sheets, a sheet feeding unit that feeds and conveys the sheets sorted by the sheet bundle sorting device, and a sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit. And an image forming means for forming an image, wherein the sheet bundle sorting apparatus is any one of the above sheet bundle sorting apparatuses.
[0033]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a sheet feeding apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including the apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0034]
The sheet bundle sorting apparatus of each embodiment is, for example, incorporated as a component of the image reading apparatus into the apparatus main body of the image reading apparatus and used as a document bundle sorting apparatus. In addition, the sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to each of the embodiments is, for example, incorporated as one of the components of the image forming apparatus into the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and used as a recording medium bundle sorting apparatus. .
[0035]
(Document Bundle Separation Device of First Embodiment)
A document bundle sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0036]
A configuration of a document bundle sorting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, which is a sheet bundle sorting apparatus, for example, will be described. The document stack separating apparatus 100 includes, for example, a document table 102 as a placement unit, a document lifting mechanism 110 as a lifting unit, and a butting unit 108 as a regulating unit. The butting portion 108 is formed on a receiving member 116 formed integrally with the document table 102 and receiving the document.
[0037]
The document table 102 is provided with an abutting section 108 for abutting an end face of the document so that the document bundle P is stacked. Sheets, for example, manuscripts include checks, checks, office documents, drawings, catalogs, magazines, and the like.
[0038]
The document lifting mechanism 110 includes, for example, support portions 111, 111 which are support means for supporting one end of the sheet bundle, for example, one end of the document bundle, and arms 103, 103 which are lift members for lifting the support portions 111, 111. Have. The arm 103 lifts a support 111 that supports one end of the stacked document bundle P. The arm is rotatably mounted near the abutting portion 108 of the document table 102.
[0039]
The support portion 111 includes a receiving member 104, holding members 105, 105, a pressing member 106, for example, a holding member, and tension springs 107, 107.
[0040]
The receiving member 104 is attached to the rotating end of the arm 103 by the support shaft 104a and is located on the upper surface side of the document bundle P. When the document bundle P is lifted by the holding member 105 and the arm 103 described below, the receiving member 104 is placed on the upper surface of the document. The original bundle is kept in contact with the original bundle. The holding member 105 is a link-shaped member provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the pulley 114 by passing a pulley 114 described later through support shafts 104 a protruding from both ends of the receiving member 104. The pressing member 106 is slidably supported by penetrating support shafts 106a projecting from both ends into elongated holes 105c, 105c formed in the holding members 105, 105. The tension spring 107 is stretched between the support shaft 104a and the support shaft 106a, and is pulled toward the receiving member 104 so that the pressing member 106 sandwiches the original bundle with the receiving member 104. I have to.
[0041]
The operation of the document stack separating apparatus 100 will be described.
[0042]
First, as shown in FIG. 3, the user loads a document bundle P to be separated on the document table 102 and abuts one end of the document bundle against the abutting unit 108. Thereafter, when a separation start command signal from the user is input to the document bundle separation device 100, the arms 103, 103 are pivoted about the mounting portion 112 between the document table 102 and the arms 103, 103 as shown in FIG. , Starts to rotate in the direction of arrow A by a driving device (not shown).
[0043]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the receiving member 104 contacts the upper surface of the document bundle P, the pressing member 106 moves along the long hole 105c of the holding member 105 in the direction of the arrow X shown in FIGS. 7 moves from left to right in FIG. 7 by driving means such as a plunger, and is held at that position.
[0044]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, the holding members 105 start to rotate in the direction of arrow B by a drive mechanism (not shown), and the pressing member 106 goes around the lower surface of one end of the document bundle P. The holding member 105 is rotated by the circulation of a belt 115 that extends over a pulley 113 provided coaxially with the mounting portion 112 and a pulley 114 that passes through the support shaft 104a integrally with the holding member 105. The pulley 113 is rotated by a driving mechanism (not shown).
[0045]
When the pressing member 106 goes around the lower surface of one end of the document bundle P after the operation is completed, the tension spring 107 pulls the pressing member 106 in a direction opposite to the arrow X (the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 4). . As a result, the pressing member 106 presses the document bundle P against the receiving member 104 to pinch the document bundle P with the receiving member 104. The pinching force is such that the documents can be displaced from each other.
[0046]
Note that the receiving member 104 and the pressing member 106 shown in FIG. 1 are sandwiched over substantially the entire width of the end of the document bundle P, but only a part of the end of the document bundle P as shown in FIG. May be sandwiched.
[0047]
In this manner, by sandwiching the ends of the document bundle P, a curved shape intended for the document bundle P can be formed even when the thin and soft document bundle P is stacked on the document table 102. After that, the arm 103 starts rotating in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5 together with the bundle of documents P held between the receiving member 104 and the pressing member 106, and lifts one end of the bundle of documents P to bend the entire bundle of documents P. The abutting portion 108 receives the end on the side where the document bundle is not lifted during the rotation operation, and regulates the displacement of the end. Further, by bending the document bundle P, arcs having different curvatures are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the document bundle P due to a difference in the thickness direction of the document bundle P, and the leading end of the document bundle P is formed in a step shape. , The document bundle is sorted.
[0048]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, when the holding member 105 starts rotating in the direction of arrow D, the pressing member 106 pressed from the lower surface of the document bundle by the tension spring 107 causes the stepped shape of the leading end of the document bundle P to be formed. Move to the judged part. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the document lowers sequentially from the lowermost document detached from the pressing member 106 in the direction of the arrow E due to the repulsive force generated by the warpage of the document or its own weight. That is, the document descends sequentially as shown in FIG.
[0049]
At this time, a behavior in which the document bundle P is turned one by one occurs, so that the suction between the documents is removed and an air layer can be formed between the documents. The document is sequentially lowered, and the entire document bundle P is lowered, and when it is completed, the arm 103 returns to the predetermined position shown in FIG.
[0050]
In the above document stack separating apparatus 100, the receiving member 104 may support the document stack only with the pressing member 106, which is not always necessary.
[0051]
The document stack sorting apparatus 100 does not necessarily perform the operation of turning the document stack P one by one by performing only the sorting operation.
[0052]
The document bundle sorting apparatus 100 of the present embodiment performs an operation of turning the document bundle P one by one only in addition to the sorting operation or in addition to the sorting operation, so that, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a scanner, a facsimile, a copying machine, or the like. When the originals are stacked on the sheet feeding device, the effect of reducing the suction force is easily maintained, and the paper feeding failure can be greatly reduced.
[0053]
(Document reading device)
As described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the document bundle separating apparatus 100 is used by being incorporated as one of the components of the document reading apparatus 400 into an apparatus main body 401 of an image reading apparatus 400, for example. It has become so.
[0054]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the document reading device cut along the document conveying direction.
[0055]
The configuration of the document reading device 400 will be described. The document reading device 400 includes a document bundle sorting device 100, a sheet feed roller 606 that transports the documents sorted by the document bundle sorting device 100 to the image reading units 608 a and 608 b, and a document that transports the documents that are transported to the image reading units 608 a and 608 b. It includes a separation roller 607 for separating the originals one by one, image reading units 608 a and 608 b serving as image reading means for reading the originals, a pair of conveying rollers 609 for transporting the originals, a paper output tray 610 for discharging the read originals, and the like. I have.
[0056]
In the above configuration, the document bundle separating apparatus 100 that separates the document bundle, and the document supply unit and the sheet supply unit that convey the separated document, such as the paper feed roller 606 and the separation roller 607, are sheet supply devices. For example, a document supply device 611 is configured.
[0057]
The operation of the document reading device 400 will be described. First, a document bundle P is stacked on the document table 102 by a user. Thereafter, when an image reading command is instructed by the user, the stacked document bundle is separated by the document bundle separation device 100, and one end of the document is caused to enter the nip between the paper feed roller 606 and the separation roller 607. The document is supplied to image reading units 608a and 608b by paper feed roller 606. At this time, the second and subsequent original bundles are separated by the reverse rotation of the separation roller 607. As the number of original bundles P on the original table decreases, the holding member 105 rotates downward so that the originals can sequentially enter the nip between the feed roller 606 and the separation roller 607. The document supplied by the paper feed roller 606 is conveyed to the image reading units 608a and 608b, and is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 610 by the conveyance roller pair 609 while reading the image data.
[0058]
(Document Bundle Separation Device of Second Embodiment)
A document stack separating apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0059]
For example, a document bundle sorting device 200 according to the second embodiment, which is a sheet bundle sorting device, has a configuration in which a pressing member for pressing a document is added to the document bundle sorting device 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those of the document stack separating apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, and the description of those portions will be omitted.
[0060]
The document stack sorting apparatus of the second embodiment has a configuration in which a pressing member 217 is added to a receiving member 216 integrally formed on the document table 102 of the sorting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment and having the abutting portion 108. Has become.
[0061]
For example, the document table 202 serving as a placement unit holds a receiving member 216 formed integrally with the document table 202 and having, for example, an abutting portion 208 serving as a regulating unit, a pressing member 217 and a compression coil spring 218. And a holding unit 219. The receiving member 216, the pressing member 217, the compression coil spring 218, and the holding portion 219 form a document end regulating pressing mechanism 215. The document edge regulation pressing mechanism 215 is an example of a regulation unit.
[0062]
The pressing member 217 presses the end of the document bundle, which is urged by the compression coil spring 218 and abuts against the abutting portion 208, against the document table 202 in the direction of arrow F to separate the document bundle from the edge of the document bundle. It is provided to prevent the position of the part from shifting. Note that rubber may be provided instead of the compression coil spring. Alternatively, a tension spring may be provided to pull the pressing member 217 toward the document table 202. Further, the pressing member 217 may be operated by hydraulic control (not shown).
[0063]
When placing a document on the platen, the pressing member 217 is manually lifted and inserted between the pressing member 217 and the platen 202.
[0064]
Therefore, the document stack sorting apparatus 200 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the pressing member 217 is provided near the abutting portion 108 at one end of the document stack P in the document stack sorting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. In addition to the effect similar to that of the document stack separating apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the flutter of the document during the page turning operation is prevented by pressing one end of the document stack P with the pressing member 217 in the direction of arrow F. be able to.
[0065]
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the document stack separating apparatus 200 of the present embodiment blows air in the direction of arrow G from the side surface (left and right side surfaces) of the document during the page turning operation by, for example, an air blowing device 220 which is an air blowing unit. By spraying, it is possible to further reduce the attraction force between the originals. Further, dust such as dust mixed between the originals can be removed.
[0066]
The document stack separating apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment can also be provided in the document reading apparatus shown in FIG.
[0067]
(Document Bundle Separation Device of Third Embodiment)
A document stack separating apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0068]
A document bundle sorting apparatus 300 according to a third embodiment, which is a sheet bundle sorting apparatus, will be described. The document stack separating apparatus 300 of this embodiment is incorporated as one of the components of the document reading apparatus 600 into an apparatus main body 601 of an image reading apparatus, for example, the document reading apparatus 600. Since the configuration of document reading apparatus 600 is substantially the same as document reading apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 8, the same parts as document reading apparatus 400 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0069]
The document bundle separating apparatus 300 includes a receiving member 316 having, for example, an abutting portion 308, which is a regulating means for abutting the document end surface. A pair of arms 303 rotatably mounted near the abutting portion 308 on the document end surface of the document table 302 to lift one end of the document bundle P stacked on the document table 302 (the other arm is shown in the drawing because it overlaps). (Not shown), a receiving member 304 attached to the rotating end of the pair of arms 303 and in contact with the lower surface of the document bundle P to form the curve of the document bundle P, and the amount of protrusion is variably provided on the apparatus main body 601. When the document bundle P is lifted up by the arm 303 and curved, a holding member 305 for holding the curved state of the document bundle P is provided. Note that the holding member 305 is not always necessary.
[0070]
In the above-described configuration, for example, the receiving member 304 serving as a support unit for supporting one end of the sheet bundle and the arm 303 serving as a lifting member for lifting the receiving member 304 constitute an example of the lifting unit.
[0071]
A document bundle separation device 300 that separates a document bundle, and a document supply unit and a sheet supply unit, such as a paper supply roller 606 and a separation roller 607, which convey the separated document, are a sheet supply device, such as a document supply device. 612.
[0072]
The operation of the document stack separating apparatus 300 will be described. First, a document bundle P is stacked on the document table 302 by a user. Thereafter, when an image reading command is input to the document reading apparatus 600 by the user, the arm 303 is rotated in the direction of arrow H by a drive mechanism (not shown) with the mounting portion 312 of the document table 302 and the arm 303 as a fulcrum. start.
[0073]
The document bundle P is lifted by the receiving member 304 at one end and is curved. At this time, the holding member 305 protrudes from the inside of the main body by an appropriate amount by a sliding operation (not shown) to abut the surface of the document bundle P in order to maintain the curved posture of the document bundle P. This ensures that the original bundle P is curved. Note that the document is curved only by being lifted by the receiving member 304, and therefore does not necessarily need to be curved by the holding member 305.
[0074]
The original bundle is curved, so that the upper surface and the lower surface of the original bundle P have different curvatures R due to the difference in the thickness direction of the original bundle P, and the leading end of the original bundle P is easily and reliably separated into a stepped shape. .
[0075]
The document bundle P is inserted into the paper feed unit with the leading end of the document bundle P being fenced by the arm 303. The inserted document bundle P is fed from below by a feed roller 606. At this time, the second and subsequent document bundles P are separated by the separation roller 607. The supplied original is conveyed to image reading units 608a and 608b, and is conveyed to a paper discharge table 610 by a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 609 while reading the image data.
[0076]
As the number of original bundles P on the original table decreases, the arm 303 is inclined toward the feed roller 606 so that the original can enter the nip between the feed roller 606 and the separation roller 607.
[0077]
The document stack separating apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the supply can be started while the leading end of the document is stepped in a stepped shape. You can weaken your power. Therefore, the original can be supplied after the original bundle P is easily separated.
[0078]
The image reading apparatuses 400 and 600 shown in FIGS. 8 and 12 are provided with, for example, an image forming unit such as a photosensitive drum instead of the image reading units 608a and 608b, and are fixed downstream of the image forming unit. When a container is provided, it becomes a printer. The printer forms a toner image carried on a photosensitive drum based on electronic data on a recording medium supplied from a recording medium supply device, and heats and presses the recording medium with a fixing device to record the image. An image is formed on a medium. Therefore, the document stack separating apparatus can be provided in a printer. Further, it can be provided in a copying machine, a facsimile, a multifunction peripheral thereof, and the like.
[0079]
The air blowing device 220 shown in FIG. 10 is provided in the document stack separating devices 100 and 300 of the first and third embodiments to further reduce the attraction force between the documents and to remove dust and the like mixed between the documents. Dust may be removed.
[0080]
For example, the document supply devices 611 and 612, which are the sheet supply devices described above, include, as one of the components, the document bundle separation devices 100, 200, and 300 that can easily create a document bundle in a state that can be easily separated. In this way, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user while maximizing the document supply performance of the device for document supply while preventing document supply defects such as multi-feeding of documents and jamming of documents. It is possible to provide a document supply device that reliably supplies a document.
[0081]
For example, the document reading apparatuses 400 and 600 that are the image reading apparatuses described above include, as one of the constituent elements, the document bundle separating apparatuses 100, 200, and 300 that can easily create a document bundle that is easily separated. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently and surely read the image formed on the original one by one while reducing the burden on the user while preventing the original supply failure such as the double feed of the original and the original being jammed.
[0082]
The printer, which is an image forming apparatus described above, for example, includes a recording medium bundle sorting apparatus 100, 200, and 300 that can easily create a recording medium bundle, which is a sheet bundle in a state that can be easily separated, as one of the constituent elements. Since it is provided as one, while preventing recording medium supply defects such as double feeding of recording medium and clogging of recording medium, the burden on the user is reduced, and images are efficiently printed one by one on the recording medium. And it can form reliably.
[0083]
【The invention's effect】
The sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to the present invention performs a sheet sorting operation in which a sheet bundle is curved in an arc shape so that the leading end of the sheet is arranged in a stepped shape, and a sheet-turning operation for turning one sheet at a time after the sheet sorting operation. Of these, at least, by performing the separating operation, an air layer is formed between the sheets, and the operation of weakening the attraction force between the sheets can be performed, so that the user's separating work, labor, and time can be greatly reduced.
[0084]
Further, by sandwiching one end of the sheet bundle, even a thin and soft sheet bundle that is difficult to handle with human hands can be reliably processed.
[0085]
The sheet supply device of the present invention includes the sheet bundle separation device that can easily create a sheet bundle in a state that is easily separated, so that the sheet supply failure is significantly reduced and the efficient sheet supply is performed. Can be.
[0086]
The image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes the sheet bundle sorting device that can easily create a sheet bundle in a state that can be easily separated. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce sheet supply defects and perform efficient sheet processing. Can be.
[0087]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a sheet bundle sorting device that can easily create a sheet bundle in a state that can be easily separated. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce sheet supply defects and perform efficient sheet processing. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a sheet bundle sorting apparatus, for example, a document bundle sorting apparatus according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a case where the shapes of a receiving member and a pressing member are changed in the document bundle separating apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which a document is placed on a document table of the document bundle separating apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a separating operation is started in the document bundle separating apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where a document is curved and separated in the document stack separating apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where documents are separated one by one in the document bundle separating apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a support unit in the document stack separating apparatus of FIG. 1;
8 is a cross-sectional view of the document reading apparatus provided with the document bundle separating device of FIG. 1 along a document conveying direction.
FIG. 9 illustrates a sheet bundle sorting apparatus, for example, a document bundle sorting apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where documents are separated by air in the document bundle separating apparatus of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the separated originals are separated one by one;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along a document conveying direction of a document reading apparatus including a document bundle sorting apparatus, which is a sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional image reading apparatus, such as a document reading apparatus, taken along a document conveying direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
P Document Bundle
100 Document bundle sorting device (sheet bundle sorting device)
102 Document platen with abutment (placement means)
103 Arm (lifting member)
104 receiving member
105 holding member
105c long hole
106 Pressing member (clamping member)
106a Support shaft
107 Extension spring
108 Butt (restriction means)
110 Document lifting mechanism (lifting means)
111 Supporting part (supporting means)
116 Receiving member
200 Document Bundle Separation Device (Sheet Bundle Separation Device)
202 Platen (mounting means)
208 abutting part (control means)
215 Original edge regulation pressing mechanism
216 Receiving member (control means)
217 Pressing member
218 Compression coil spring
219 Holder
220 Air blowing device (air blowing means)
300 Document Bundle Separation Device (Sheet Bundle Separation Device)
302 Platen (mounting means)
303 Arm (lifting member, lifting means)
304 receiving member (supporting means, lifting means)
305 Holding member
308 Butt (restriction means)
312 Mounting part
316 Receiving member (restriction means)
400 Document Scanner
600 Document reading device (image reading device)
601 device body
602 Platen (mounting means)
603 arm
604 receiving member
605 holding member
606 Paper feed roller (document supply means, sheet supply means)
607 Separation roller (document supply means, sheet supply means)
608a, 608b Image reading unit (image reading means)
611 Document feeder (sheet feeder)
612 Document feeder (sheet feeder)

Claims (10)

Mounting means on which the sheet bundle is mounted;
Lifting means for lifting one end of the sheet bundle so as to bend;
Regulating means for regulating the other end of the sheet bundle so as not to shift the sheet bundle when one end of the sheet bundle is lifted;
A sheet bundle separating device comprising: 2. The sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lifting unit includes a supporting unit that supports one end of the sheet bundle and a lifting member that lifts the supporting unit. 3. 3. The sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the support means has a support member provided on the lifting member to support one end of the sheet bundle. A support member provided on the lifting member, which is located on an upper surface side of one end of the sheet bundle; and a support member which supports one end of the sheet bundle and sandwiches the end portion with the receiving member. The sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a holding member. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restricting unit has a receiving member that receives the other end of the sheet bundle so as not to shift the sheet bundle when one end of the sheet bundle is lifted. 2. The sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to 1. The restricting means includes a receiving member that receives the other end of the sheet bundle so as not to shift the sheet bundle when one end of the sheet bundle is lifted, and a sheet receiving member that receives the sheet bundle received by the receiving member. The sheet bundle separating device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member that presses the other end to the placing unit. The sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an air blowing unit that blows air from a side surface of the sheet. A sheet bundle sorting device for sorting sheets,
Sheet supply means for supplying and conveying the sheets sorted by the sheet bundle sorting apparatus,
A sheet feeding apparatus, wherein the sheet bundle sorting apparatus is the sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A document bundle separating device for separating documents,
Document supply means for supplying and conveying the document separated by the document bundle separation device;
Image reading means for reading the image of the document supplied by the document supply means,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document bundle separating apparatus is the sheet bundle separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is a document. A sheet bundle sorting device for sorting sheets,
Sheet supply means for supplying and conveying the sheets separated by the sheet bundle separation device,
Image forming means for forming an image on the sheet supplied by the sheet supply means,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet bundle sorting apparatus is the sheet bundle sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images