Abstract: A semiconductor device can be manufactured with a high non-defect ratio, making it possible to easily guarantee the KGD (Known-Good-Die) of semiconductor chips, when configuring one packaged semiconductor device on which a plurality of semiconductor chips is mounted. Utilizing each semiconductor chip is made possible without limits on terminal position, pitch, signal arrangement, and so on. Protrusions provided to a semiconductor chip mounted sealing sub-board are attached to a package substrate. A plurality of semiconductor bare chips is disposed in a space formed between the semiconductor chip mounted sealing sub-board and the package substrate, making wiring possible.

Abstract: A printed wiring board is configured to be connected to an organic substrate in a state where a semiconductor chip is mounted thereon. A plurality of first layers are formed of a material having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the semiconductor chip. A plurality of second layers are formed of a material having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the organic substrate. The first layers have different thicknesses from each other and the second layers have different thicknesses from each other. The first layers and the second layers form a lamination by being laminated alternately one on another. The thicknesses of the first layers decrease from a side where the semiconductor chip is mounted toward a side where the organic substrate is connected. The thicknesses of the second layers decrease from the side where the organic substrate is connected toward the side where the semiconductor chip is mounted.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a die pad layout. Signal pads in the die pad layout are located primarily near a perimeter of the semiconductor die, and power pads and ground pads are located primarily inboard from the signal pads. The signal pads are arranged in a peripheral row or in a peripheral array generally parallel to an edge of the semiconductor die. Bumps are formed over the signal pads, power pads, and ground pads. The bumps can have a fusible portion and non-fusible portion. Conductive traces with interconnect sites are formed over a substrate. The bumps are wider than the interconnect sites. The bumps are bonded to the interconnect sites so that the bumps cover a top surface and side surfaces of the interconnect sites. An encapsulant is deposited around the bumps between the semiconductor die and substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of the present invention includes: a base material (5); a semiconductor element (2) mounted on the base material (5); a solder resist (11a) covering a prescribed region of the base material (5); and a molding resin body (3) integrally covering the semiconductor element (2) and a part of the solder resist (11a). The solder resist (11a) has a recessed portion (16) at the bottom of the outer circumference of the molding resin body (3). The molding resin body (3) is partially embedded in the recessed portion (16).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device answerable to refinement of circuits by correctly connecting adjacent small patterns with each other with excellent reproducibility in connective exposure and a semiconductor device manufactured by this method are proposed. According to this method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, connective exposure is performed by dividing a pattern formed on a semiconductor substrate into a plurality of patterns and exposing the plurality of divided patterns in a connective manner, by forming marks for adjusting arrangement of the patterns to be connected with each other on the semiconductor substrate before exposing patterns of a semiconductor element and connectively exposing the patterns of the semiconductor element in coincidence with the marks for adjusting arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a film for a semiconductor device, which is capable of preventing interface delamination between each of the films, a film lifting phenomenon, and transfer of the adhesive film onto the cover film even during transportation or after long-term storage in a low temperature condition. The film for a semiconductor device of the present invention is a film in which an adhesive film and a cover film are sequentially laminated on a dicing film, in which a peel force F1 between the adhesive film and the cover film in a T type peeling test is within a range of 0.025 to 0.075 N/100 mm, a peel force F2 between the adhesive film and the dicing film is within a range of 0.08 to 10 N/100 mm, and F1 and F2 satisfy a relationship of F1<F2.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler for cooling air includes a cooling housing having an air inlet and an air outlet and an evaporation media, located within the cooling housing intermediate the air inlet and the air outlet for air flow there through and for receiving water to permit evaporation of at least some water. The evaporative cooler includes a drain pan located within the cooling housing and below the evaporation media to catch water which has not evaporated and falling from the evaporation media and a sump located within the cooling housing and below the drain pan for collecting water for use in supplying water to the evaporation media. The evaporative cooler includes a pipe connecting the drain pan to the sump for water movement from the drain pan to the sump and an air vent located within the cooling housing and connected to the pipe, the air vent being open to air within the cooling housing and above the drain pan to permit release of air from within the pipe.

Abstract: A wind-water ultrasonic humidifier includes a housing, a hollow connecting portion, a water circulation system, and a power control box. The water circulation system includes an electric base, a rubber cork plugged into the top of the water circulation system and having a baffle inserted into a concave hole, a circular threaded pipe including a nebulizer and a water pump, two arc-shaped bridging support stands provided for connecting both sides of the electric base in an arc shape, a latch structure disposed at a lower end of the support stand, latches disposed on both sides of the electric base, and a water dripping device installed at an upper end of the bridging support stand.

Abstract: A humidifying apparatus is disclosed in which gas is provided to a first side of a membrane and liquid to a second side of the same membrane. The membrane is non-porous to the liquid but porous to vapour of the liquid and is liquidphilic to said liquid.

Abstract: In an optical waveguide, the present invention provides a process for producing an optical waveguide, and a stamp for use in the production process, in which the thickness of a lower cladding layer in the portion positioned in the lower side of a core layer is easily controlled even if any one or more materials of a substrate, a cladding material, and a stamp are material with low rigidity. The production process of the present invention comprises steps of forming a lower cladding layer which has a core groove and spacer grooves formed substantially in parallel with intervals in both sides of the core groove on a substrate by making use of soft lithography with a second stamp (i.e.

Abstract: In order to realize a device and a method each capable of forming a lens with high accuracy and low costs, a lens forming device of the present invention includes a metal mold, an insulating substrate, a stage, a power source, a switch, and a UV radiating device. Dielectric resin is supplied onto the insulating substrate and a transfer surface of the metal mold is pressed to the dielectric resin so as to transfer a lens shape to the dielectric resin. At that time, the power source applies a voltage on the metal mold to generate an electric field between the metal mold and the insulating substrate so that an electrostatic attraction causes the dielectric resin to be attracted toward the transfer surface of the metal mold while the top of the dielectric resin has a sharp cuspate shape. Consequently, bubbles are less likely to be invade between the transfer surface and the dielectric resin, allowing transferring a highly accurate lens shape to the dielectric resin.

Abstract: Manufacturing spherical Fresnel lens includes providing a first optical element with a regular hexagonal first Fresnel micro-lens in the center of the first optical element and six regular hexagonal second Fresnel micro-lens arrayed around the first Fresnel micro-lens. One edge of the second Fresnel micro-lens is connected to one edge of the first Fresnel micro-lens. The first optical element is stressed to yield a spherical cap configuration of the first optical element, and a second optical element is provided matched to the first optical element, and including a plurality of Fresnel micro-lens. The second optical element is bent into a curve shaped configuration having a curvature as the bent first optical element, and a number of bent second optical elements are assembled around the bent first optical element in sequence to form a hemispherical-shaped configuration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing thermoformed articles from pre-cut thermoformable billets are provided. The system may include a heating apparatus for heating the billets, a billet thermoformer for thermoforming the billet into an article, a discharge system for evacuated the formed articles from the thermoformer, and an inspection system for inspecting each of the formed articles for the presence of a defect. Conveyors and billet carriers are provided for transporting the billets between the various components of the system, and loaders are provided for loading the billets onto the conveyor and/or billet carriers.

Abstract: A method of determining a residence time distribution comprises mixing a molding batch (104) and a tracer (105), wherein the tracer has a ferroelectric curie temperature above 120° C., and transmitting the mixture through a capacitor (107). Further, the method comprises measuring a capacitance of the capacitor, and determining a residence time distribution based on the measured capacitance. In particular, the ferroelectric curie temperature of the tracer may be above 150° C. and preferably the ferroelectric curie temperature of the tracer is above 200° C.

Abstract: A porous ceramic member preparation method includes the step of mixing powdered silicon carbide and a resin at a predetermined ratio with a solvent to form a paste for enabling the resin to be covered on the surface of the powdered silicon carbide and the solvent to be fully vaporized, the step of processing the paste into a predetermined shape, the step of heating the shaped material at a low heating temperature to cure the resin, and the step of sintering the shaped material into a ceramic member having pores therein.

Abstract: A molded respirator is made from a monocomponent monolayer nonwoven web containing a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous monocomponent polymeric microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. The respirator is a cup-shaped porous monocomponent monolayer matrix whose matrix fibers are bonded to one another at least some points of fiber intersection. The matrix has a King Stiffness greater than 1 N. The respirator may be formed without requiring stiffening layers, bicomponent fibers, or other reinforcement in the filter media layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a molded silicone rubber sponge by filling a sponge-forming silicone rubber composition into a cavity of a mold, wherein after the aforementioned sponge-forming silicone rubber composition is cured, and before mold opening of the aforementioned mold, gas present in the aforementioned cavity is discharged. Thereby, a molded silicone rubber sponge without damage such as chips or the like can be effectively produced.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for manufacturing high density magnetic media is disclosed. A flexible mold having a very low modulus of less than about 4 GPa is made on a rigid support. The mold nano-imprints a resist material on disks for hard disk drives. The flexible mold may comprise a perfluoropolyether with urethane acrylate end groups with a low surface adhesion from which the cured resist is easily released.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus forms patterns in a plurality of shot regions on a substrate by repeating an imprint cycle in which a pattern is formed in one shot region on the substrate by curing a resin while an original and the resin are in contact with each other. The apparatus comprises a detector configured to detect a mark formed on the substrate, and a controller configured to execute overlay measurement, in which the controller causes the detector to detect the mark, and obtains an overlay error that is a shift between a pattern formed on a given layer on the substrate and a pattern newly formed on a layer on or above the given layer, between successive imprint cycles.

Abstract: A ribbon liquefier comprising an outer liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from a heat transfer component, and a channel at least partially defined by the outer liquefier portion, where the channel has dimensions that are configured to receive the ribbon filament, and where the ribbon liquefier is configured to melt the ribbon filament received in the channel to at least an extrudable state with the received thermal energy to provide a melt flow. The dimensions of the channel are further configured to conform the melt flow from an axially-asymmetric flow to a substantially axially-symmetric flow in an extrusion tip connected to the ribbon liquefier.

Abstract: A demolding apparatus for removing molded building products from a mold has a conveyor assembly to advance the mold in a machine direction. A removal mechanism contacts a dislodged portion of the molded building product and applies a dislodging force to the dislodged portion of the molded building product.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a resonator is disclosed in which a sleeve insert is placed into a fixture within a blow molding apparatus. The sleeve insert has a wall with a first plurality of apertures in the wall at a first axial distance and a second plurality of apertures in the wall at a second axial distance. A parison is slid over the sleeve insert; the mold is clamped over the parison causing the parison to press into the sleeve insert at three locations: near the ends of the sleeve insert and at a location between the pluralities of apertures; and air is blown into the sleeve insert, via a blow pin, to expand the parison into the walls of the mold to form cavities proximate the first and second pluralities of aperatures. After cooling, the mold opens to release the newly formed resonator.

Abstract: A method for sintering anhydrous calcium sulfate material as biomedical material, includes the steps of: (a) preparing the anhydrous calcium sulfate material; (b) mixing the anhydrous calcium sulfate material with a sintering-support agent thoroughly to obtain a mixture waited for sintering; (c) die-pressing the mixture into a predetermined shape; and (d) executing a heat treatment onto the mixture to make the mixture be sintered to form the biomedical material having the predetermined shape.

Abstract: Dry compound from clay, quartz sand, starch as binding addition agent is prepared, 20% of water solution of sodium hydroxide is added to it, the obtained mixture is formed and exposed to bake for 1.5 hour under 960-1050 deg. C., at that, the ratio of quartz sand and clay is 2.33:1, and the ratio of dry compound and solution of sodium hydroxide is 6.25:1. Thus, the method is simplified, the obtained bricks have low heat transfer and low gravity, but are solid, cold, heat and chemical-resistant.

Abstract: An operation method of a flash smelter includes blowing a gas for dispersing raw material and contributing to a reaction, from a lance at an upper portion of a shaft so that the gas forms a spiral flow. A raw material supply apparatus includes a supply portion supplying raw material and a gas for dispersing the raw material and contributing to a reaction into a flash smelting furnace, wherein the supply portion has a lance provided at an upper portion of a shaft that blows the gas so that the gas forms a spiral flow.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a gap-filler insert (20) for use with cooling plates (12, 12?) for a metallurgical furnace, the cooling plates (12, 12?) having a front face (14, 14?) directed towards the interior of the furnace, an opposite rear face (16, 16?) directed towards a furnace wall (10) of the furnace and four edge faces (18, 18?). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the gap-filler insert (20) comprises a metal front plate (24) with a front side (24) facing the interior of the furnace and anchoring means (28, 28?, 30, 30?, 32, 34) for mounting the front plate (24) between two neighboring cooling plates (12, 12?) in such a way that the front plate (24) extends between the edge faces (18, 18?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?), and that the front side (26) of the front plate (24) is flush with the front faces (14, 14?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?).

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a side well for a metal melting furnace. The side well comprises an insulated body having a front wall adapted to form part of an insulated side wall of a metal melting furnace and a top, a cavity within the body including a single upright well having a cylindrical wall adjacent to a closed bottom of the cavity, an entrance to the cavity at the top of the insulated body, a metal inlet channel leading directly into the cavity from an inlet aperture in the front wall, and a metal outlet channel leading directly from the cavity to a metal outlet aperture in the front wall. The side well includes a rotatable impeller having a vertical rotatable shaft and at least one vaned section positioned at a lower end of the rotatable shaft; wherein the impeller extends into the cavity with the vaned section positioned in the well adjacent to the cylindrical wall.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicon-and-carbon-enriched cast iron melt. The method can include melting an initial cupola charge in a cupola, conducting the molten metal to a mixing vessel, increasing the silicon and carbon content of the molten metal by a substantially continuous addition of granular silicon carbide having a purity of greater than 94% and a size of less than ?? to the mixing vessel while simultaneously agitating the molten metal to an extent sufficient to bring the silicon carbide into solution with the molten metal, and conducting the silicon-and-carbon-enriched molten metal away from the mixing vessel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a compliant banding system for use in a marine environment comprising a flexible compliant member and an abaxial relatively rigid strap, both constructed to extend circumferentially around an underlying structure such as a strake or fairing collar. The strap maintains a fixed circumference while the compliant member flexes intermediate the strap and an underlying.

Abstract: A cushioning element includes a two-sided membrane. The membrane may be of any size and shape appropriate to a desired application. Units extend from each side of the membrane with units on one side staggered or offset from those of the other. Depressing a unit on one side of the membrane causes displacement of at least part of the other side of the membrane into the space opposite to the depressed unit. Releasing the depressed unit allows the membrane to return to at least substantially its previous position. Membrane resiliency may be consistent throughout an embodiment or part(s) may be differently resilient. Units may be consistent in resiliency, size and/or shape on one or both sides of an embodiment, or may vary on one or both sides. Membrane and units may be integrally made in whole or in part within an embodiment. The cushioning element may have vibration dampening characteristics.

Abstract: A high-strength spring steel and a spring are provided that have superior corrosion fatigue strength. The spring steel comprises, in mass percent, 0.35-0.55% C, 1.60-3.00% Si, 0.20-1.50% Mn, 0.10-1.50% Cr, and at least one of 0.40-3.00% Ni, 0.05-0.50% Mo and 0.05-0.50% V, the balance being substantially Fe and incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: The present application provides a high strength spring steel and a high strength spring that have superior corrosion fatigue strength. The spring steel comprises, in terms of percent by mass, 0.35-0.55% C, 1.60-3.00% Si, 0.20-1.50% Mn, 0.10-1.50% Cr and at least one element selected from 0.40-3.00% Ni, 0.05-0.50% Mo 0.05-0.50% V, the balance being at least substantially Fe and incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: A spring steel and spring having superior corrosion fatigue strength and a strength on the order of HRC 53 to HRC 56 are disclosed. The spring steel comprises a tempered martensite and 2.1 to 2.4% Si in terms of percent by mass of the total mass of the spring steel.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a coil spring for an automobile suspension includes forming a material into a coil shape; performing a heat treatment step on the material; performing a warm shot peening step on the material, and performing a hot setting step on the material. By performing the warm shot peening step prior to the hot setting step, a stronger compressive residual stress is imparted in a direction along which a large tensile stress acts during actual use of the coil spring, thereby improving sag resistance and durability of the coil spring. A coil spring is also manufactured according to this method.

Abstract: One embodiment is a carrier for holding devices that includes a tray having one or more sites in which a device may be held, and a frame resiliently coupled to the tray so the tray is movable with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes: a staple tray on which sheets are stacked temporarily and stapled after being aligned together and from which the stapled sheets are discharged to a discharge tray; a discharger to discharge the sheets to the staple tray; a rear end reference against which rear ends of the sheets are abutted to be aligned together; a returner to return the sheets discharged by the discharger and to align the sheets together in a conveying direction based on the rear end reference fence; a lifter to lift and lower the returner with respect to a sheet; and a guide configured to guide the sheets toward the rear end reference fence when the sheets are returned and to be lifted and lowered in synchronization with the lifting and lowering by the lifter.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a sheet feed tray on which a first sheet bundle is stacked at a first position where sheet feeding to a conveyance path can be performed, and a conveyance tray on which a second sheet bundle is stacked at a second position adjacent to the sheet feed tray, and which conveys the second sheet bundle to the sheet feed tray and stacks the second sheet bundle on the sheet feed tray after the first sheet bundle is fed, presses the stacked second sheet bundle to a side plate provided in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the conveyance tray, and aligns an end of the second sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus of the invention includes a sheet guiding unit configured to have plural components including paper carrying components be attached thereto, a tray onto which a sheet of paper is discharged, and a protection cover attached to the sheet guiding unit at a portion in close proximity to the tray side. A protection cover has a cover main body, a screw attachment portion, a screw cover that covers the screw attached to the screw attachment portion, and a slit used for the tip end of the screw cover to be inserted into the cover main body to be fixed thereto.

Abstract: A printer includes a printer body, a tray, and an actuating device. The printer body is capable of outputting file paper from a paper output opening. The tray is attached to the printer body configured for holding file paper. The actuating device is attached to the tray capable of moving the file paper in the tray to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A paper sheet obverse and reverse side arranging device according to the present invention, includes: a reversible conveying section which includes a rotor reversibly conveying paper sheets in two directions opposite to each other, and two inlet and outlet sections provided in front of the two directions, respectively; a sorting section which is provided in an upstream conveying path upstream from the reversible conveying section, and which sorts paper sheets to either one of the two inlet and outlet sections; two guiding sections which are provided in the two inlet and outlet sections, respectively, and which guide paper sheets conveyed from the reversible conveying section; two guide conveying sections which convey paper sheets guided from the reversible conveying section by the two guiding sections towards a downstream conveying path provided downstream; and a control section which controls the reversible conveying section and the sorting section.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a decolorizing device includes a first stacker to stack sheets to be decolorized images on the sheets, a second stacker arranged adjacent to the first stacker, wherein the sheets stacked on the first stacker is kept waiting on the second stacker in order to be decolorized the images, a pressing unit to urge the sheets stacked on the second stacker downward and keep the sheets stacked on the second stacker flat, an image decolorizing unit to decolorize the images on the sheets, and a sheet feed unit positioned on an upper surface of the pressing unit to convey the sheets pressed on the pressing unit from the second stacker to the image decolorizing unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device, having a sheet feeding mechanism and an image processor is provided. The sheet feeding mechanism includes a base structure, a first roller, and a second roller. The first roller includes a first shaft and a first roller body fixed to the first shaft. The second roller includes a second shaft and a second roller body fixed to the second shaft. The first roller feeds a sheet into a sheet feeding path, and the second roller conveys the sheet in the sheet feeding path. The first roller and the second roller are connected with each other by a connector member, which rotatably supports the first shaft and the second shaft and maintains positional relation of the first shaft and the second shaft with respect to each other.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pick up device for paper sheets includes an input unit configured to support a plurality of paper sheets in a stacked manner, a supply mechanism configured to move the placed paper sheets in a stacking direction and supply each paper sheet to an pick up position, a pick up mechanism configured to pick up the paper sheet at the pick up position from the input unit one by one, and a control unit configured to determine a supply speed or a feed amount of the paper sheets by the supply mechanism in accordance with thickness information per unit time of the picked up paper sheets obtained from a thickness detector, and configured to determine whether the supply mechanism is to be operated or stopped based on density information of the paper sheets obtained from a paper sheet sensor.

Abstract: A media transport element comprises: a fixed roller, a first coupling connected an end of the fixed roller for receiving rotational motion therefrom, a second coupling connected to the first coupling for receiving rotational motion therefrom, and being rotatable about a pivot axis; and a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller define a media passage therebetween. The media transport element also comprises: a link coupled to the pivoting roller and mounted on a link shaft co-axial with the pivot axis. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller are both continuously driven even when media items pass through the media passage and move the pivoting roller away from the fixed roller.

Abstract: A recording target medium feeding apparatus includes a body having a switching section and a feeding section that feeds a recording target medium. A recording target media cassette that receives the recording target media has an inner wall facing the leading edge of the recording target medium and switches between first and second states. In the first state, the inner wall has a predetermined angle with respect to a bottom surface of the recording target media cassette. In the second state, the inner wall has a steeper angle of inclination. In the first state, the inner wall separates the uppermost of the recording target media from a second recording target medium. In the second state, the inner wall contacts the leading edge of the recording target media loaded in the recording target media cassette and sets the leading edge of the recording target media at a uniform edge position.

Abstract: A paper sheet conveying device is equipped with a conveying path (2) formed of a large number of conveying roller pairs and a controlling section for detecting the position of the paper sheet being conveyed and controlling the operation of the conveying rollers. The conveying path (2) is composed of a first-half conveying path (2A) and a last-half conveying path (2B). The first-half conveying path (2A) has a first-half driving mechanism for controlling the rotational speed of the lower conveying rollers and a first-half vertically moving mechanism for vertically moving the upper conveying rollers. The last-half conveying path (2B) has a last-half driving mechanism for controlling the rotational speed of the lower conveying rollers and a last-half vertically moving mechanism for vertically moving the upper conveying rollers.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, including: a holding portion for holding sheets; a sheet supply portion; an inclined member disposed downstream of the holding portion and having an inclined surface for guiding each sheet in a sheet feed direction along the inclined surface; a plurality of first separation protrusions provided on and integrally with the inclined member and arranged in the sheet feed direction, each first separation protrusion protruding from the inclined surface such that its distal end is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than its proximal end; and a plurality of second separation protrusions formed of a metal, each second separation protrusion protruding from the inclined surface through a corresponding one of openings formed in the inclined member at a position in the sheet feed direction between corresponding adjacent two of the first separation protrusions, the second separation protrusions being arranged in the sheet feed direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, including; a sheet holding portion; a sheet supply portion; an inclined member having an inclined surface and configured to guide each sheet in a sheet feed direction; and separation protrusions which are provided on the inclined member and each of which protrudes from the inclined surface such that a distal end thereof is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than a proximal end thereof, wherein each separation protrusion has a contact surface and said each sheet comes into contact with one or more contact surfaces of the separation protrusions, and wherein each separation protrusion protrudes from the inclined surface such that the distal end of one of the separation protrusions is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than the proximal end of another of the separation protrusions that is located immediately downstream of the one of the separation protrusions in the sheet feed direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, including: a holding portion for holding sheets; a sheet supply portion; an inclined member having an inclined surface for guiding each sheet in a sheet feed direction along the inclined surface; a first separation protrusion provided integrally on the inclined member so as to protrude from the inclined surface such that its distal end is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than its proximal end; a plurality of second separation protrusions formed of a metal and disposed more upstream in the sheet feed direction than the first separation protrusion, each second separation protrusion protruding from the inclined surface through a corresponding one of openings formed in the inclined member, the second separation protrusions being arranged in the sheet feed direction; and a fixing member by which the second separation protrusions are fixed to the inclined member on a surface thereof opposite to the inclined surface.