JP2007106543A - Paper storing device, paper feeding device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a constitution for preventing occurrence of deterioration and rupture in an energizing means even when setting a recording paper so as to bring it into contact with a fence member provided with the energizing means having elasticity many times. <P>SOLUTION: This constitution is constituted by sticking a lower part of a thin-walled member 18 to an inner side face of a fence part 11a by an adhesive material 19, sticking an elastic body 17 to an inner side face of the thin-walled member 18 by the adhesive material 19 such as a double-sided tape, and putting a fence member 11a side of the elastic body 17 in a free condition to prevent it from being restrained by the other member. For this reason, since shearing stress is not applied between a surface of the elastic body 17 and a surface of the fence member 11a when setting the recording paper P, force for breaking the energizing means 15a is not applied even if the recording paper P is repeatedly set to maintain an original function of the energizing means 15a for a long time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper storage device having a fence member provided with a biasing member that presses a side portion of a sheet paper, and a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus configured to mount the paper storage device.

  In the paper feeding device in the image forming apparatus, a fence member that restricts the paper width by pressing the side portion of the sheet paper is provided, but since this fence member is directly related to the oblique feeding of the sheet paper, the restriction position is set. It is necessary to determine with high accuracy.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which the fence member is configured to suppress the paper width only by the plane of a plastic part, which is a material having very low elasticity, but it is difficult to accurately determine the restriction position of the fence part.

  In addition, Patent Document 2 does not specifically describe the structure of assembling the urging means. However, a configuration in which the position of the paper width is accurately determined by using an urging means having elasticity on the fence member. Are listed.

  Hereinafter, a conventional paper storage device having a fence member will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 21 for a laser printer of an image forming apparatus equipped with the paper storage device.

  FIG. 14 is an external perspective view of the laser printer, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the laser printer.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a paper feed cassette 1 that is a paper storage device is provided at a lower position of the main body, and a recording paper that is a sheet of paper formed by an image forming unit inside the main body is The paper is discharged to the upper paper discharge tray 2.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the image forming unit includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 3 for each color of Y, M, C, and BK in the main body, and an electrophotographic process member disposed around the photosensitive member 3, that is, An optical writing unit 4 for irradiating a laser beam for forming an electrostatic latent image, an intermediate transfer belt 5 for transferring each color toner image formed on each photoconductor 3 onto a recording paper P, and an unfixed toner The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device 6 that performs fixing processing on the recording paper P having an image.

  In addition, the recording paper P feeding / conveying path 7 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 5 is set in a substantially vertical direction on the near side in the main body. The paper P is fed by the paper feed roller 8. The paper feed cassette 1 is provided so as to be drawn out from the apparatus main body for replenishing the recording paper P.

  The recording paper P loaded in the paper feed cassette 1 is fed from the paper feed cassette 1 by the paper feed roller 8, and the toner image is transferred from the paper feed / conveyance path 7 through the transfer portion 5 a in the intermediate transfer belt 5. After passing through the fixing device 6, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 2 by the paper discharge roller 9.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the inside of the paper feed cassette. The paper feed cassette 1 is provided with a bottom plate 10 on which recording paper is stacked at the bottom so as to be rotatable about the right side as a rotation fulcrum. A pair of fence members 11a and 11b for regulating a direction perpendicular to the direction is provided opposite to each other, and the fence members 11a and 11b are slidable in the right and left in the drawing. Further, an end fence 12 for restricting the rear end of the recording paper P is provided behind the paper feed cassette 1 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

  When the recording paper P is set in the paper feed cassette 1, the left and right fence members 11a and 11b are slid outward to open, and the end fence 12 is slid rearward, and then the fence members 11a and 11b are connected to the end. A stack of recording paper P is stacked inside the fence 12, and then the fence members 11a and 11b are closed and the end fence 12 is slid forward to move the recording paper P in the front-rear and left-right directions. Regulate not to.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the pair of fence members 11a and 11b has a pinion rack structure 14 centered on the gear 13, and the other fence member is interlocked only by operating one fence member. It is configured to slide.

  Here, when a large number of recording papers P having the same size are used, that is, when a set of recording papers P of the same size is repeated in the paper feed cassette 1, a pair of fence members 11a and 11b and an end fence are used. The setting of the recording paper P is repeated while 12 is fixed.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the fence parts 11a and 11b are provided with urging means 15a and 15b made of an elastic body or the like in order to more accurately regulate the width direction of the recording paper P. In this example, the urging means 15a and 15b are provided at a total of four locations on the front and rear sides of the pair of fence members 11a and 11b.

  FIG. 19A is a side view of the urging means provided on the front 15a of one of the fence members 11a among the urging means 15a and 15b provided on the fence members 11a and 11b. Indicates.

  In FIG. 19A, the urging means 15a includes an elastic body (for example, sponge) 17 attached to the fence member 11a, and a thin member (for example, a plastic sheet) that covers the elastic body 17 and the inner surface of the fence member 11a. ) 18.

  The original purpose of the urging means 15a is to adjust the width of the opposing fence member steplessly by using the elasticity of the elastic body 17 to reliably regulate the vertical or horizontal width of the recording paper. If the width of the recording paper is reliably regulated, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from being obliquely fed (skew) during paper feeding.

  The lower part of the thin-walled member 18 is affixed to the fence component 11a with an adhesive material 19 such as a double-sided tape. Further, as shown in FIG. 19B, an adhesive material 19 such as a double-sided tape is attached to both sides of the elastic body 17, and the elastic body 17, the thin-walled member 18, and the elastic body 17 and the fence member 15a are attached. .

By the way, if a bundle of recording paper P is set from above in the storage area surrounded by the pair of fence members 11a and 11b and the end fence 12 of the paper feed cassette 1, as shown in FIG. The left and right edges of P are set inward while the thin member 18 is bent by contacting the upper part (U portion) of the thin member 18.
JP 2004-75356 A JP 2005-75492 A

  However, in the prior art, since the elastic body 17 has both sides fixed by the adhesive material 19, a stress difference is generated on both sides as shown in FIG. 21, and shear force acts on the elastic body 17. Become.

  Therefore, with such a configuration, when the same size recording paper P is set to the paper feed cassette 1 many times, the left and right edges of the recording paper P are above the thin member 18 (U in FIG. 20). Part) many times, a shearing force is repeatedly applied to the surface of the elastic body 17, and eventually the elastic body 17 may be broken so as to peel from the inside.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and even if the recording paper is set so as to come into contact with the fence member having the biasing means having elasticity many times, the biasing means does not deteriorate or break. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper storage device that does not occur, a paper supply device that includes the paper storage device, and an image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is configured such that the side of the sheet paper is pressed in order to align the stacked state of the sheet paper that is erected on the bottom plate and stacked on the bottom plate from the upper opening. In a paper storage device having a fence member provided with an urging member to perform, the urging member includes a flexible thin-walled member disposed so as to cover a side surface of the fence member, and at least the fence member. The elastic member is disposed between the fence member and the thin member so as to elastically contact the upper side surface, and the elastic member is attached to either the fence member or the thin member. With this configuration, the elastic member will not create a constraint relationship other than the pasting side, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of shearing force caused by stress applied to both sides of the elastic member as in the past, Be set repeatedly so as to contact the over preparative paper fence portion, without biasing member is damaged, it is possible to maintain the biasing member original function over time.

  The invention according to claim 2 is provided with an urging member that presses a side portion of the sheet paper so as to be erected on the bottom plate and to align the stacked state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from the upper opening. In the paper storage device having a fence member, the biasing member is in elastic contact with at least the upper side surface of the fence member and the flexible thin-walled member disposed so as to cover the side surface of the fence member. It is constituted by an elastic member disposed between the fence member and the thin member, and the elastic member is attached to a holding member installed between the fence member and the thin member, With this configuration, the elastic member does not form a restraining relationship between the fence member and the thin-walled member, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of shearing force caused by stress applied to both sides of the elastic member as in the past. Be set repeatedly so as to contact the door sheet to the fence part, without the biasing member is damaged, it is possible to maintain the biasing member original function over time.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a biasing member that is erected on the bottom plate and presses the side portion of the sheet paper in order to align the stacking state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from the upper opening. In the paper storage device having a fence member, the biasing member is in elastic contact with at least the upper side surface of the fence member and the flexible thin-walled member disposed so as to cover the side surface of the fence member. It is constituted by an elastic member disposed between the fence member and the thin member, the elastic member is attached to the thin member, and only the lower part is attached to the fence member, With this configuration, when it is necessary to provide a biasing means also in the lower part of the fence member, the area where shear stress is generated between the elastic member surface and the fence member surface is reduced. Even after repeated set without the biasing means is broken, can be maintained for long urging means original function.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper storage device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a bent portion is formed in at least two places of the upper portion of the thin member, and the bent portion and the fence member are connected to the bottom plate. With this configuration, the upper part of the thin-walled member is attached to the fence component with a surface substantially parallel to the sheet paper setting direction. Similarly, the urging means can be prevented from being damaged and can be prevented from being damaged by turning over the thin member.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper storage device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a bent portion is formed in at least three locations of the upper portion of the thin member, and the bent portion and the fence member are connected to the bottom plate. The sheet paper is set on the surface substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the sheet paper with respect to the sheet material, and the upper side of the thin member is stuck on the surface substantially perpendicular to the sheet paper setting direction. In this case, the upper side of the urging means can escape to the outside. Therefore, since excessive pressure is not applied to the sheet paper, the urging means is not damaged, the original function can be maintained, and the sheet can be fed without making the sheet paper slanted.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the paper storage device of the fourth or fifth aspect, the bent surface of the thin member is provided with an inclination for guiding the stacked sheet paper toward the bottom plate. When the sheet paper is set so as to come into contact with the thin member from an inappropriate direction, the inclined portion serves as a guide portion to guide the sheet paper. It can be prevented from being damaged.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the paper storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the thin-walled member is formed of a member whose surface exhibits high slipperiness. Since the member has a small friction between the sheet paper and the thin-walled member, the sheet paper can be set smoothly.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the paper storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the thickness of the thin member is set to 0.05 mm or less. By setting the thickness to 0.05 mm or less, it is possible to produce a thin member at low cost, for example, by reducing the cost of bending the thin member.

  The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that, in the paper storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a sheet member having a lower elasticity than that of the elastic member is attached to a surface to which the elastic member is not attached. With this configuration, the unconstrained side sheet member of the elastic member is a low-elasticity member, so that the sliding surface of the elastic member is protected and deterioration of the surface of the elastic member can be reduced.

  The invention according to claim 10 is provided with a biasing member that is erected on the bottom plate and presses the side portion of the sheet paper in order to align the stacking state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from the upper opening. A paper feeding device that feeds sheet paper in a predetermined direction from a paper storage unit having a fence member, wherein the paper storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is installed in the paper storage unit, and the fence member is installed. The sheet paper is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction. With this configuration, it is possible to feed the sheet paper with the effects of the above-described claims, and the sheet paper can be fed diagonally (skew). Preventing and stably regulating the stacked sheet paper enables stable paper feeding.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a biasing member that is erected on the bottom plate and presses the side portion of the sheet paper in order to align the stacked state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from the upper opening. A paper feeding device that feeds sheet paper in a predetermined direction from a paper storage unit having a fence member, wherein the paper storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is installed in the paper storage unit, and the fence member is installed. The sheet paper is arranged in a direction parallel to the sheet feeding direction. With this configuration, it is possible to feed the sheet with the effects of the above claims, and the position regulation of the leading edge of the sheet sheet is properly controlled. As a result, it is possible to prevent variations in the sheet feeding start position for each sheet, and stable sheet feeding becomes possible.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which an image forming unit forms an image on a sheet of paper fed from a paper feeding unit, the paper feeding unit according to claim 10 or 11 It is characterized by the installation of this device, and this configuration enables image formation on sheet paper that has been fed with no skew or proper tip position regulation, enabling good image formation. become.

  According to the paper storage device of the present invention, the elastic member of the urging member does not form a restraining relationship on the side other than the pasting side, and prevents the generation of shearing force caused by stress applied to both sides of the elastic member as in the prior art. Even if the sheet paper is repeatedly set so as to be in contact with the fence member, the original function of the urging member can be maintained for a long time without damaging the urging member.

  Further, according to the paper feeding device according to the present invention, the sheet storage device according to the present invention is installed, so that the stacked sheet paper can be stably regulated, and skew prevention, leading edge position regulation, etc. Properly performed and stable paper feeding becomes possible.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the sheet feeding device according to the present invention is installed, so that the sheet paper fed without the skew and properly regulated in the front end position is used. Since image formation can be performed, good image formation is possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, members corresponding to those described in FIGS. 14 to 21 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The embodiment of the paper storage device described below is applied to the paper storage device in the image forming apparatus in which the paper supply device described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 18 is installed, and the main part will be described again.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the paper feed cassette 1 which is a paper storage device according to the present embodiment is provided with a bottom plate 10 on which a recording paper is stacked at the bottom so as to be rotatable, and is perpendicular to the paper feed direction. A pair of fence members 11a and 11b are provided opposite to each other, and the fence members 11a and 11b are slidable left and right in the drawing. The end fence 12 for regulating the rear end of the recording paper P is provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

  When the recording paper P, which is sheet paper, is set in the paper feeding cassette 1, the left and right fence members 11a and 11b are slid open, the end fence 12 is slid rearward, and then a bundle of recording paper P is unloaded. Then, the end fence 12 is slid forward in a direction to close the fence members 11a and 11b, and the bundle of recording paper P is regulated so as not to move in the front-rear and left-right directions.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the pair of fence members 11a and 11b has a pinion rack structure 14 centered on the gear 13, and the other fence member slides in conjunction with each other only by operating one fence member. Is in a relationship.

  When a large number of recording papers P having the same size are used, that is, when a set of recording papers P of the same size is repeated in the paper feeding cassette 1, the pair of fence members 11a and 11b and the end fence 12 are used. Repeat the setting of the recording paper P while fixing.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the fence parts 11 a and 11 b are provided with urging means 15 a and 15 b made of an elastic body or the like in order to more accurately regulate the width direction of the recording paper P. In this embodiment, the urging means 15a and 15b are provided at a total of four locations in front of and behind the pair of fence members 11a and 11b.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a fence portion for explaining Embodiment 1 of the paper storage device according to the present invention. In the description of the present embodiment, among the urging means 15a and 15b provided on the fence members 11a and 11b, the urging means on the front (15a) in one of the fence members (11a) will be described as an example.

  In FIG. 1, the urging means 15a includes an elastic body (for example, sponge) 17 and a thin-walled member (plastic sheet: for example, trade name Mylar) that covers the elastic body 17 and the inner surface of the fence member 11a.

  The original purpose of the urging means 15a is to use the elasticity of the elastic body 17 to adjust the width of the opposing fence member steplessly and to reliably regulate the vertical or horizontal width of the recording paper P. By restricting the width of the recording paper P reliably, it is possible to prevent the recording paper P from being obliquely fed (skew) during paper feeding.

  The lower part of the thin-walled member 18 is attached to the inner surface of the fence part 11a with an adhesive material 19 such as a double-sided tape, and the elastic body 17 is attached to the inner surface of the thin-walled member 18 with an adhesive material 19 such as a double-sided tape. Thus, the fence member 11a side is not attached and is not restricted by other members in a free state.

  When a bundle of recording paper P is placed from above into a storage area surrounded by the pair of fence members 11a and 11b and the end fence 12 of the paper feed cassette 1, the left and right edges of the recording paper P are thin members. 18, the thin member 18 is set inward while being bent, but in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the elastic body 17 is provided only on the thin member 18. Since it is affixed and does not make any other constraint, when the recording paper P is set, no shear stress is applied between the surface of the elastic body 17 and the surface of the fence member 11a (A portion in FIG. 1). Even if the recording paper P is repeatedly set, a force that damages the urging unit 15a is not applied, and the original function of the urging unit 15a can be maintained over a long period of time.

  FIG. 2 is a side view of a fence portion for explaining the second embodiment of the paper storage device according to the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the elastic body 17 is the inner periphery of the fence member 11a. It is the point which was affixed only by the surface with the adhesive material 19, and was set as the structure which is not restrained freely with respect to another member.

  Therefore, when the recording paper P is set, no shear stress is applied between the surface of the elastic body 17 and the surface of the thin member 18 (A portion in FIG. 2). Like the first embodiment, the original function of the biasing means 15a can be maintained over a long period of time without applying a force that damages the biasing means 15a.

  FIG. 3 is a side view of a fence portion for explaining the third embodiment of the paper storage device according to the present invention. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that it is between the elastic body 17 and the fence member 11a. A holding member 21 made of a plastic thin plate material or the like is provided, and the elastic body 17 is attached only to the holding member 21 with the adhesive material 19, and the other members are free and unconstrained.

  For this reason, since the elastic body 17 is not restrained by either the fence member 11a or the thin-walled member 18, no shear stress is applied to both side surfaces of the elastic body 17 (part A in FIG. 3), and the recording paper P is repeatedly set. However, the force that damages the urging means 15a is not applied, and the original function of the urging means 15a can be maintained over a long period of time as described above.

  By the way, as in the paper feeding device shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4 and the front sectional view of FIG. 5, when feeding the recording paper P, the bottom plate 10 of the paper feeding cassette 1 is urged to center on the rear fulcrum 22. The friction pad 23 arranged in the forward direction is inclined so as to press against the paper feed roller 8. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the urging means 15b behind the sheet cassette 1 needs to function down to the bottom of the sheet cassette 1. In order to cope with this, the configuration of the fourth embodiment described below is adopted.

  FIG. 6 is a side view of a fence portion for explaining the paper storage device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the urging means 15b functions to the lower side as described above. Is extended to the lower side, and both lower sides thereof are attached with the adhesive material 19, and the elastic body 17 is not attached as shown in FIG. 6 in the attachment with the upper fence member 11a (or the thin member 18). I am doing so.

  For this reason, since the elastic body 17 is not restrained by the fence member 11a or the thin-walled member 18, no shear stress is applied to both side surfaces of the elastic body 17 (A part in FIG. 6), and even if the recording paper P is repeatedly set, As described above, the original function of the urging unit 15b can be maintained for a long time without applying a force that damages the urging unit 15b.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of a fence portion for explaining the fifth embodiment of the paper storage device according to the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, two or more bent portions 25 are formed above the thin member 18 and fed. A thin member 18 and a fence member 11a are affixed on a parallel surface 25a that is substantially parallel to the setting direction (stacking direction) of the recording paper P with respect to the bottom plate 10 of the paper cassette 1. In this way, even when a hard paper bundle such as a bundle of recording paper P is set, or even if the operator's hand collides with the biasing means 15a unexpectedly, the biasing means 15a. Can be prevented from turning over or breaking.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, by providing the bent portion 25 with an inclined surface 25b for guiding the recording paper P in the direction of the bottom plate 10, the recording paper P comes into contact with the thin member 18 from an inappropriate direction. Even in the case of being set, the inclined surface 25b serves as a guide to guide the recording paper P in the stacking direction. Therefore, even if the recording paper P is repeatedly set, the biasing means 15a is damaged. Can be prevented.

  FIG. 8 is a side view of the fence portion for explaining the sixth embodiment of the paper storage device according to the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, the surface of the elastic body 17 that is not restrained, that is, the surface that is not attached. A sheet component 26 having an elastic characteristic far smaller than that of the elastic body 17 is affixed to (the surface on the fence member 11a side in this example) so as to protect the surface of the elastic body 17 that may be in contact with the fence member 11a. I have to. By adopting such a configuration, the surface of the elastic body 17 which is not constrained has improved sliding resistance and wear resistance, and deterioration of the surface of the elastic body 17 can be prevented.

  FIG. 9 is a side view of a fence portion for explaining a seventh embodiment of the paper storage device according to the present invention. In the configuration in which two or more bent portions 25 are formed above the thin member 18 as in the fifth embodiment of FIG. 7, the thin member 18 and the fence are formed on a surface 25a substantially parallel to the setting direction of the recording paper P. When the recording paper P is set, when the recording paper P is set, the upper portion of the thin-walled member 18 is difficult to escape even when receiving the setting force of the recording paper P. For this reason, excessive pressure is applied to the recording paper P. There is a risk of adding.

  Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, three or more bent portions 27 are formed above the thin member 18, and the thin member 18 is formed on the surface 27a that is substantially perpendicular to the setting direction of the recording paper P. The fence member 11a is fixed, and an inclined surface 27b is formed on the bent portion 27 to guide the recording paper P in the stacking direction.

  For this reason, when the recording paper P is set, as shown in FIG. 10, the thin member 18 has a structure in which the inclined surface 27b portion can be easily bent outward. Even when set, the upper portion of the thin-walled member 18 can escape to the outside, so that excessive pressure can be prevented from being applied to the recording paper P, and the occurrence of oblique feeding (skew) of the recording paper P can be prevented. it can.

  FIG. 11 is a side view of a fence portion for explaining an eighth embodiment of the paper storage device according to the present invention. In the eighth embodiment, the thin-walled member 18 itself has a surface 18a with small irregularities and high slipperiness. A plastic sheet material is used, or a sheet material having high slip properties as described above is attached to the surface (two-dot chain line portion) of the thin member 18.

  Thereby, when the recording paper P is set, the recording paper P is not caught on the surface of the thin member 18, and the recording paper P having a large burr on the outer periphery can be set smoothly.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the fifth and seventh embodiments, a plurality of bent portions 28 are formed in the thin member 18, but when the thin member 18 is made of a thick material, it is difficult to process and costs high. Therefore, if the thickness of the thin-walled member 18 is set to a plastic sheet (for example, Mylar) having a thickness of 0.05 mm or less, the cost of bending portion processing can be reduced while satisfying the effects of the fourth and sixth embodiments. .

  The paper storage devices of the first to eighth embodiments are installed in the paper feeding device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the feeding direction of the recording paper P is determined by the fence members 11a and 11b including the fence members 15a and 15b. By restricting the recording paper P in the vertical direction, the oblique feeding of the recording paper P at the time of paper feeding can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the end fence 12 in the paper storage device described above is provided with the urging member 15 a (or 15 b) of the first to seventh embodiments, and is parallel to the feeding direction of the recording paper P. By disposing the recording paper P in the direction, it is possible to prevent variations in the paper feed start position for each recording paper P (paper tip position regulation).

  For this reason, according to the paper feeding device of the present embodiment, the recording paper P loaded in the paper feeding cassette 1 can be stably regulated, and skew prevention, leading edge position regulation, and the like are properly performed, which is favorable. Paper feeding becomes possible.

  In addition, by mounting the paper feeding device in which the paper storage devices of the first to seventh embodiments are installed in the image forming apparatus described with reference to FIGS. Since image formation can be performed on the recording paper P that has been fed in the performed state, good image formation can be performed in the image forming unit.

  The present invention is applied to a paper storage device such as a paper feed cassette provided with a fence member provided with a biasing member that presses a side portion of sheet paper such as general paper cut into a predetermined size and various special papers, Further, the present invention is effective for use in a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus equipped with the paper feeding device.

The side view of the fence part for demonstrating Embodiment 1 of the paper storage apparatus which concerns on this invention Side view of the fence part for demonstrating Embodiment 2 of the paper storage apparatus which concerns on this invention Side view of the fence part for demonstrating Embodiment 3 of the paper storage apparatus which concerns on this invention The perspective view for demonstrating the paper feeder which concerns on this invention FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the paper feeding device of FIG. Side view of the fence part for demonstrating Embodiment 4 of the paper storage apparatus which concerns on this invention Side view of the fence part for demonstrating Embodiment 5 of the paper storage apparatus which concerns on this invention Side view of the fence part for demonstrating Embodiment 6 of the paper storage apparatus based on this invention Side view of the fence part for demonstrating Embodiment 7 of the paper storage apparatus based on this invention Explanatory drawing of the thin member in which the bending part of three or more places in Embodiment 7 was formed Side view of the fence part for demonstrating Embodiment 8 of the paper storage apparatus concerning this invention Explanatory drawing of the bending part of the thin member in Embodiment 5,7 Explanatory drawing of the principal part for demonstrating the paper feeder concerning this invention External perspective view of a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure inside laser printer The perspective view which shows the inside of the paper feed cassette which is an example of a paper storage apparatus The perspective view which shows the drive mechanism of the fence member in a paper feed cassette Explanatory drawing of recording paper width regulation of fence member in paper feed cassette (A) is a side view of the structure of the fence part which has the conventional urging means, (b) is explanatory drawing of the conventional elastic body Explanatory drawing of trouble occurrence in conventional urging member Explanatory drawing of elastic body when trouble occurs

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feeding cassette 10 Bottom plate 11a, 11b Fence member 12 End fence 15a, 15b Energizing means 17 Elastic body 18 Thin member 19 Adhesive material 21 Holding member 25, 27 Bending part 25a, 27a Parallel surface 25b, 27b Inclined surface 26 Sheet member P Recording paper (sheet paper)

Claims (12)

In a paper storage device having a fence member provided on a bottom plate and provided with a biasing member that presses a side portion of the sheet paper in order to align the stacking state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from an upper opening. ,
The biasing member is disposed between the fence member and the thin member so as to elastically contact at least the upper side surface of the fence member with a flexible thin member disposed so as to cover the side surface of the fence member. The sheet storage device is characterized in that the elastic member is attached to either the fence member or the thin member. In a paper storage device having a fence member provided on a bottom plate and provided with a biasing member that presses a side portion of the sheet paper in order to align the stacking state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from an upper opening. ,
The biasing member is disposed between the fence member and the thin member so as to elastically contact at least the upper side surface of the fence member with a flexible thin member disposed so as to cover the side surface of the fence member. The paper storage device is characterized in that the elastic member is attached to a holding member installed between the fence member and the thin-walled member. In a paper storage device having a fence member provided on a bottom plate and provided with a biasing member that presses a side portion of the sheet paper in order to align the stacking state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from an upper opening. ,
The biasing member is disposed between the fence member and the thin member so as to elastically contact at least the upper side surface of the fence member with a flexible thin member disposed so as to cover the side surface of the fence member. A paper storage device comprising: an elastic member disposed on the thin-walled member; and the elastic member attached to the thin-walled member and only the lower portion attached to the fence member.   The bent portion is formed in at least two places in the upper portion of the thin member, and the bent portion and the fence member are pasted on a surface substantially parallel to the sheet paper stacking direction with respect to the bottom plate. The paper storage device according to any one of? 3.   The bent portion is formed in at least three places in the upper portion of the thin member, and the bent portion and the fence member are pasted on a surface substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the sheet paper with respect to the bottom plate. The paper storage device according to any one of? 3.   6. The sheet storage device according to claim 4, wherein the bending surface of the thin-walled member is provided with an inclination for guiding the stacked sheet paper toward the bottom plate.   The sheet storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thin-walled member is formed of a member having a highly slippery surface.   The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the thin member is set to 0.05 mm or less.   The sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein a sheet member having a lower elasticity than that of the elastic member is attached to a surface of the elastic member that is not attached.   From a paper storage unit having a fence member provided on the bottom plate and provided with a biasing member that presses the side of the sheet paper in order to align the stacked state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from the upper opening. A sheet feeding device that feeds sheet paper in a predetermined direction, wherein the sheet storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is installed in the sheet storage unit, and the fence member is arranged with respect to a sheet sheet feeding direction. A sheet feeder provided in a vertical direction.   From a paper storage unit having a fence member provided on the bottom plate and provided with a biasing member that presses the side of the sheet paper in order to align the stacked state of the sheet paper stacked on the bottom plate from the upper opening. A sheet feeding device that feeds sheet paper in a predetermined direction, wherein the sheet storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is installed in the sheet storage unit, and the fence member is arranged with respect to a sheet sheet feeding direction. A paper feeding device arranged in a parallel direction.   12. An image forming apparatus that forms an image in an image forming unit on sheet paper fed from a sheet feeding unit, wherein the sheet feeding unit according to claim 10 or 11 is installed in the sheet feeding unit. Image forming apparatus.

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