Abstract: The present invention provides a removable input tray to be used in an image forming device, such as a printer. The input tray includes a front wall with a sloped surface for sheet separation, an opening in the front wall, and a retractor pivotally mounted in the opening. The retractor is movable between a stopping position and a retracted position, the stopping position provides a stop to the leading edge of a stack of media sheets when the stack is being inserted into the input tray, and the retracted position is triggered when the input tray is fully inserted into the image forming device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a document-feeding device. The document-feeding device includes a sheet-feeding channel and a sheet-separating structure. The sheet-separating structure includes a base, a separation pad, a pinch roller, a separation roller and an elastic element. The base is disposed in the sheet-feeding channel. The separation pad is disposed on a surface of the base. The pinch roller is disposed in the base. The separation roller is in contact with the separation pad and the pinch roller. The elastic element is used for supporting the base such that the separation pad and the pinch roller are sustained against the separation roller.

Abstract: A media buckler comprises a media engagement surface, a support structure having at least one dimension drafted from a first thickness to a second thickness, the engagement surface having varying stiffness.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet storage portion mounted on a device main body so as to be drawn from the device main body and the sheet storage portion stores sheets, a sheet feeding portion that feed a sheet from the sheet storage portion, a pushing portion that applies a force to the sheet storage portion in a drawing direction where the sheet storage portion is drawn from the device main body, a locking mechanism configured to lock the sheet storage portion in the device main body, and a pressing operation member that is pressed in a direction opposite to the drawing direction. A lock of the locking portion is released while interlocking the release of the press of the pressing operation member.

Abstract: A printer comprising: a support frame; and a sheet media pick-up device pivotally mounted to the support frame so as to be pivotable relative to a supply of sheet media, the pick-up device comprising: a driven roller arranged to be rotated so as to contact and pick-up sheet media from the supply of sheet media and deliver the picked sheet media to a sheet media transport mechanism of the printer; and a motor for rotatably driving the roller, wherein the motor and driven roller are arranged to pivot with the pick-up device, the pick-up device being configured to pivot so that the driven roller is consistently positioned to contact and pick-up the sheet media as the supply of sheet media is successively depleted after each pick-up.

Abstract: A feed device includes a feed roller and a return lever member. The feed roller picks up a first recording medium from recording media stacked on a stacking unit and feeds the first recording medium downstream via a feed path. The return lever member pushes back upstream a second recording medium that has unnecessarily entered the feed path in feeding the first recording medium downstream. The stacking unit includes an end support portion that supports a leading end of the recording media from below. The return lever member includes a lever unit capable of being protruded into and retracted from the feed path. The lever unit pushes back the second recording medium upstream when protruding into the feed path. The lever unit includes a return operative portion that pushes back the second recording medium upstream and a raising portion that raises the second recording medium above the end support portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus capable a convenient removal a paper jammed between a pickup unit and a multi-sheet feeding prevention unit. The multi-sheet feeding prevention unit may be moveable in cooperation with a detachable paper cassette such that the multi-sheet feeding prevention member supported on the moveable multi-sheet feeding prevention unit moves toward and away from the pickup unit so that the pressing force between the pickup unit and the multi-sheet feeding prevention unit may be released to allow the jammed paper to be removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking vouchers that has at least one circumferential stacking belt (82). The stacking belt (82) has a circumferential belt body and at least one tongue pair (86a to 86c) provided outwardly on the belt body. The tongue pair (86a to 86c) has a transport tongue (90a to 90c) and a pressure tongue (88a to 88c). The pressure tongue (88a to 88c) and the transport tongue (90a to 90c) are configured and disposed such that the pressure tongue (88a to 88c) applies contact pressure to the transport tongue (90a to 90c) in the direction of the belt body at least in a circumferential area of the stacking belt (82).

Abstract: A sheet containing device includes a supporting part that supports a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are different types of media, and the first sheet and the second sheet are stacked on one another; a feeding member that is located at a front end of the supporting part and that feeds the first sheet and the second sheet in correspondence with rotation of the feeding member; a sheet operating member that selectively prevents one of the first sheet and the second sheet from being fed by the feeding member.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus, including a sheet holder which accommodates recording sheets stacked on each other; a feeding device which feeds an uppermost one of the stacked sheets in a sheet-feed direction; an inclined guide plate which is provided downstream of the sheet holder in the sheet-feed direction, wherein the inclined guide plate has a sheet-guide surface which guides a movement of each sheet while changing a direction of the movement thereof; a sheet-separate body with which the sheet feeding device cooperates to separate and feed the sheets, one by one, wherein the sheet-separate body is supported by the inclined guide plate, and includes sheet-separate portions which are arranged in the sheet-feed direction and which project from respective portions of the sheet-guide surface; and a projecting portion which is supported by the inclined guide plate, at a position distant from the sheet-separate body in a widthwise direction of the sheet holder, and which has a curved surface projecting from the s

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a feed tray receiving sheets, a catch tray receiving the sheets ejected thereon, a feeding mechanism conveying the sheets from the feed tray to the catch tray, an ejection mode switching mechanism switching an ejection mode between a first mode in which the sheets are sequentially ejected on a stack of sheets already ejected and a second mode in which the sheets are sequentially ejected and inserted under a stack of sheets already ejected, an ejection detecting sensor detecting a sheet ejected on the catch tray, and a controller configured to, in response to an instruction to start feeding the sheets, forbid driving the feeding mechanism when determining that the ejection mode is set to the second mode and determining with the ejection detecting sensor that a sheet is on the catch tray.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The image forming apparatus includes a body and the sheet feeding unit to supply sheets into the body. The sheet feeding unit includes a sheet feeding cassette coupled to the body, a sheet lifting plate positioned in the sheet feeding cassette to stack sheets thereon, a pick-up device to feed the sheets piece by piece from the sheet feeding plate, and an adjustment unit to vary a sheet feeding force by which the sheets are fed from the sheet lifting plate. Accordingly, the sheets can be smoothly fed into the body without skewing through adjustment of a sheet feeding force of the pick-up device.

Abstract: A sheet supply apparatus is provided with a print medium storage device for storing a print medium. The print medium storage device includes a guide member for guiding the print medium thus stored; an engaging portion for engaging the guide member at a specific position; an engaged portion for engaging the engaging portion; an operation portion disposed to be movable for separating the engaging portion from the engaged portion; and an abutting portion for abutting against the operation portion to move the operation portion when the print medium storage device is situated at a first position, and for separating from the operation portion when the print medium storage device is situated at a second position.

Abstract: The sheet processing system includes: an image forming unit forming an image on a sheet; a sheet stack unit that lowers along a moving route, as more sheets are stacked on the sheet stack unit, the sheets each having an image formed by the image forming unit and being transported through a first route; a processing unit provided in a housing, and applying processing to a sheet having an image formed by the image forming unit, the sheet being transported through a second route; a cover member provided so that a part of the housing is openable, partially reaching a position in the moving route when the part is opened, and allowing a user to operate the processing unit by opening the part; and a moving unit moving the sheet stack unit to a position where the sheet stack unit does not interfere with the cover member, upon abnormal transportation.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a pair of transporting rollers, a table and a table drive mechanism. The pair of transporting rollers consist of a driving roller and a driven roller. On the table are stacked a plurality of recording media to be supplied to the pair of transporting rollers. The table drive mechanism moves the table between two positions of a transport position and a standby position. The table drive mechanism descends the table to the standby position, from the transport position, after the uppermost recording medium of the recording media stacked on the table at the transport position is sandwiched between the driving roller and the driven roller.

Abstract: A paper feed unit, which is provided with a paper feed roller disposed such that an outer circumferential surface thereof contacts stacked sheets of paper so as to feed each sheet of paper by rotating, a separating pad having elasticity configured to press a sheet of paper being forwarded by the paper feed roller against the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller from a side of the sheet of paper opposite to the other side contacting the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller, a holder that supports the separating pad, and a biasing device that biases the holder so as to press the separating pad against the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller, for separating each sheet of paper from the stacked sheets by the rotation of the paper feed roller in cooperation with the separating pad and thus feeding the sheet of paper.

Abstract: A supporting member is swingable about an imaginary swing axis that is parallel to an imaginary rotational axis of a feeding roller. The imaginary swing axis is located above a recording medium accommodated in a recording-medium accommodating section and is located upstream in a feeding direction of the recording medium with respect to the imaginary rotational axis. A first urging member is configured to apply an urging force to the support member in such a manner that the feeding roller contacts the recording medium accommodated in the recording-medium accommodating section. A second urging member is configured to urge an end of the supporting member in a direction that increases the urging force of the first urging member when an angle between a surface of the recording medium and a plane containing both the imaginary rotational axis and the imaginary swing axis is smaller than a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus including first and second sheet accommodating portions; at least one supplying member which supplies recording sheets from the accommodating portions; a separating device which cooperates with the supplying member to separate the recording sheets from each other, and which includes (A) an inclined guide plate opposed to respective leading ends of the recording sheets and (B) a sheet-separate body including sheet-separate portions arranged in an array along a sheet-supply path so as to project from the inclined guide plate toward the recording sheets; and at least one contact preventing portion which projects toward the recording sheets, beyond respective free ends of the sheet-separate portions, and which is provided at a position corresponding to an intermediate portion of the array of sheet-separate portions with respect to the sheet-supply path, and assuring that the contact preventing portion prevents each of the recording sheets supplied from the first accommodating portion,

Abstract: An automatic paper feeding apparatus used in an electronic apparatus including a tray frame, a tray body, a paper-taking roller, at least a wiggling device and a frictional roller is provided. The tray body can move into and out from the tray frame. The paper-taking roller moves the top paper by rotating along a rotating direction. The wiggling device wiggles toward the paper-taking roller from an initial position. When the paper-taking roller moves the top paper, the frictional roller faces the paper-taking roller and contacts the top paper by the same frictional surface. When the tray body moves out the tray frame, the frictional roller rotates and causes the other frictional surface of the frictional roller to face the paper-taking roller substantially. When the tray body moves into the tray frame, the wiggling device wiggles toward the paper-taking roller from the initial position and wiggles back to the initial position.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a separator are disclosed.

Abstract: A paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The paper feeding device includes a paper feeding cassette with a knock-up plate on which paper is stacked and an elastic member for elastically biasing the knock-up plate in an upward direction and a pickup roller for pressing and feeding paper stacked on the knock-up plate. The paper feeding device further includes a double feeding prevention member including a friction pad disposed below the pickup roller to prevent doubling feeding of paper fed by the pickup roller and a friction prevention portion disposed at a side on which a front end of the sheet of paper enters and reducing friction with entering paper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a medium supply device having a lift plate and a lift mechanism positioning the lift plate The image forming apparatus also has a pickup roller a feeding device including a feeder member feeding each medium supplied from the supply device, and a nip roller pressing the medium onto the feeder member, and a recording portion recording an image on the medium fed by the feeding devices, and a multiple supply preventer. The multiple supply preventer contacts a leading edge of the medium to be supplied by the supply device and a leading edge of at least one other recording medium, and the upper end of the preventer is located below a straight line extending from a point between the pickup roller and topmost medium, to a point between the feeder member and nip roller.

Abstract: A sheet supplying device is provided with a separation roller having an outer circumferential surface contacting at least a part of the sheets in a stacked state, and a pad located to face the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller. The sheet supplying device is further provided with a holder that holds the pad and is movable relative to the separation roller, and a pressing mechanism that presses the holder in a direction in which the pad held by the holder approaches the separation roller. The pad contacts a first surface of a sheet being fed by rotation of the separation roller, and the first surface of the sheet is opposite to a second surface of the sheet contacting the outer circumferential surface of the separation roller. The holder has a recessed portion formed on an upstream side of a pressurization point at which the sheet being fed is nipped between the separation roller and the pad. Space is formed by the recessed portion and a surface of the pad facing the holder.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a feeding unit configured to be driven while being in contact with a recording sheet to feed the recording sheet, and a stacking unit configured to stack a plurality of the recording sheets and to press or release the stacked recording sheets to or from the feeding unit. Also, the feeding device includes a separating unit configured to separate the plurality of recording sheets fed by the feeding unit, one by one, a detecting unit configured to detect the recording sheet in an area downstream of the separating unit, and a control unit configured to control each of the units. The control unit switches a feeding operation between at least two feeding operations in accordance with a drive time of the feeding unit from when the feeding unit is started to be driven to when the detecting unit detects the recording sheet.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a tray having a bottom surface. The tray holds at least one sheet therein, and has a recess formed in the bottom surface. A rotating member moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the rotating member contacts a sheet held in the tray, and in the second position, the rotating member is separated from the tray. The rotating member selectively rotates to convey a sheet held in the tray in a when the rotating member is in the first position. An operative portion moves in and out of the recess in the bottom surface of the tray, and movement of the operative portion corresponds to a movement of the rotating member into the second position.

Abstract: A device for paper separating and guiding is provided for separating a first paper sheet from a plurality of second paper sheets, and guiding the first paper sheet into a paper-feeding apparatus. The device includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface adjacent to each other. The first inclined surface is used for arranging the first paper sheet and a part of the second paper sheets stepwise, so that the first paper sheet located at the top layer is protruding forwards. The second inclined surface is used for blocking the other second paper sheets to maintain the paper sheets on the first inclined surface to be arranged stepwise, so that the process for paper separating and guiding is accomplished.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a discharge portion configured to discharge sheets, a wall member provided below the discharge portion, a tray configured to receive the discharged sheets from the discharge portion, and a holding member provided on the wall member to approach relatively the tray, holding the sheets between itself and the tray, and moving linearly by holding the sheets.

Abstract: A paper-feeding mechanism of an automatic document feeder includes a pick-up module, a supporting module and a paper stopping module. The pick-up module is used for picking an uppermost paper sheet from the stack of paper sheets and transporting the uppermost paper sheet into a passageway inside the automatic document feeder. The supporting module supports the pick-up module and is rotated to either ascend or descend the pick-up module, wherein the supporting module has a sustaining part on a sidewall thereof. When the supporting module and the pick-up module are downwardly rotated, the stopping plate is moved vertically to a paper-feeding position for allowing the uppermost paper sheet to be transported into the passageway. When the supporting module and the pick-up module are upwardly rotated, the stopping plate is moved vertically to a paper-stopping position for hindering the uppermost paper sheet from being transported into the passageway.

Abstract: A recording medium feeder includes: a tray on which a plurality of recording medium are to be stacked; a feed roller that feeds the recording medium stacked on the tray; a first friction member provided on the tray and having high friction coefficient; and a second friction member provided on the tray at a position opposing the feed roller and having low friction coefficient that is lower than the friction coefficient of the first friction member, wherein the first friction member is configurable to be in one of positions of a protruded position in which a surface of the first friction member is protruded from a surface of the second friction member towards the feed roller and a retracted position in which the surface of the first friction member is arranged to be not higher than the surface of the second friction member.

Abstract: A paper feeder 30 includes at ray 5 for placing and holding a bundle of sticky notes 4 formed by stacking plural sticky notes 4P having an adhesive part 4a, an adhesive part side positioning part 32a for pressing the adhesive part 4a of the bundle of sticky notes 4, and a pickup roller 35 located at the side of the free end part of the sticky notes 4P for transporting and bending the sticky notes 4P toward the adhesive part side positioning part 32a to separate them from the bundle of sticky notes 4, and a bottom plate 52 has a horizontal surface part 52a that receives the side of the adhesive part 4a and a slope part 52b that receives the side of the free end part of the sticky notes 4P at respectively different positions in the height direction.

Abstract: A paper feeder is capable of minimizing abnormal noise produced at a separation pad during paper feed, without reducing the paper feed capability, for use in an image forming apparatus using the same. Buffers are mounted on the separation pad. This arrangement ensures that, when a stick-slip condition occurs between the paper and separation pad during paper feed, and the separation pad is vibrated by the paper, the buffer vibrates so as to dissipate the vibration energy of the separation pad, with the result that the vibration of the separation pad is minimized, thereby to reduce any abnormal noise.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism comprises a sheet supporter, a pick-up roller, and a guide. The sheet supporter is capable of supporting a plurality of sheets in a stacked manner. The pick-up roller rotates in contact with a surface of, among the plurality of sheets supported by the sheet supporter, the endmost sheet in the stacking direction, to thereby pick up and convey the sheet. The guide has a surface that extends along a predetermined conveyance direction for the sheet. A line segment, between a center of the pick-up roller with respect to a direction of its rotation axis and a point at which the rotation axis intersects with the surface of the guide, forms an acute angle with a line segment extending forward in the predetermined conveyance direction from the point at which the rotation axis intersects with the surface of the guide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to turning and recording and/or reproducing multiple pages or leaves from a material, such as a book or periodical. A leaf lifting mechanism lifts the leaves of the material (e.g., book, periodical, etc.) from which the images are to be obtained. The leaf lifting mechanism can turn the leaves of the material itself, or also work cooperatively with an image recordation mechanism to turn the leaves of the material. During recordation, the image recordation mechanism follows the curvature of the leaf being recorded to minimize image distortion or degradation. The recorded images may be reproduced by a reproduction device such as a photocopier or printer.

Abstract: A sheet separation member for use in a sheet supply device including a sheet feed roller that feeds stacked sheets. The sheet separation member includes a body portion including a plurality of protrusion portions that engages with leading edges of the stacked sheets in a sheet feeding direction, and a plurality of arm portions that supports the protrusion portions in positions where the protrusion portions are engaged with the leading edges of the sheets, and a plurality of plate spring portions integrally formed with the body portion to support the body portion in a predetermined region of the sheet supply device.

Abstract: A method of feeding substrates in a credential production device is provided. A substrate transport has first and second feed rollers displaced along a substrate feed path. A substrate holder containing at least a first substrate engages the first feed roller and a second substrate lies on the first substrate. The first feed roller driven such that the first substrate is fed out of the substrate holder in a forward direction along the substrate feed path. Movement of the second substrate is restricted in the forward direction along the substrate feed path using the first feed roller after the first substrate separates from the first feed roller. The first substrate is fed along the substrate feed path using the second feed roller.

Abstract: A media buckler comprises a media engagement surface, a support structure having at least one dimension drafted from a first thickness to a second thickness, the engagement surface having varying stiffness.

Abstract: A friction backup roller assembly for a peripheral device, comprising an auto-compensating mechanism having a pick tire at one end, a media tray disposed adjacent to the auto-compensating mechanism, a backup roller extending through an aperture in the media tray, the backup roller having a tire, the auto-compensating mechanism pivotally positioned for engagement and disengagement of the pick tire with the backup roller, and a biasing element acting on the backup roller.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system. The printing system comprises a sheet feeding apparatus for feeding cut sheets in timed relationship into a sheet processor having a pitch. The sheet feeding apparatus includes a fixed take away roller, a first transport roller, and a second transport roller. The take away roller removes individual sheets from a feeder. A fixed length sheetpath exists between the take away roller, the first transport roller, and the second transport roller. The take away roller and/or optionally the first transport roller have a variable speed capability to vary the velocity thereof.

Abstract: A sheet convey apparatus includes a main feed roller, retard roller, torque limiter, retard roller guide, a pair of bearings, and a spring. The main feed roller rotates in a predetermined direction in contact with one surface of a paper sheet, to give to the sheet a force to convey the sheet in a sheet convey direction. The retard roller is arranged to oppose the main feed roller and gives to the sheet with which the retard roller is in contact a force to convey the sheet in a direction opposite to the sheet convey direction. The torque limiter limits a torque of the retard roller and rotates the retard roller in the sheet convey direction when the torque exceeds a predetermined limit. The retard roller guide includes at least a surface inclined with respect to a plane connecting central axes of the main feed roller and retard roller at an angle in a range of 0° (exclusive) to 90° (inclusive). The inclined surface is located in the vicinity of the central axis of the retard roller.

Abstract: Sheets are separated one-by-one from their stack placed in a holder by a sheet feed roller and a separation member provided in an inclined separation plate. The separation member can be a flat metal plate, and possibly includes a base portion, arm portions extending from the base portion, separation protrusions provided on the arm portions and capable of contacting a sheet, and elastic legs extending from the base portion. The arm portions, the separation protrusions, and the elastic legs can be arranged along a sheet feeding direction. The inclined separation plate may be provided with window holes on a central portion with respect to a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction. The window holes can allow each separation protrusion or two or more separation protrusions to protrude toward the front surface of the inclined separation plate. Bridge portions can be provided between adjacent window holes.

Abstract: A member for preventing feeding of a plurality of sheets at a time including a composition containing a resin component. Not less than 10 parts by mass nor more than 100 parts by mass of a polyester thermoplastic elastomer is contained in 100 parts by mass of the resin component. The polyester thermoplastic elastomer is composed of a hard segment and a soft segment. The hard segment consists of diester groups of aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The soft segment consists of ester groups of aliphatic carboxylic acid or aliphatic polyether groups.

Abstract: A paper feed portion for an image forming apparatus has a simple structure capable of generating a carrying force and preventing double feeding effectively. A paper feed roller 1 and a carrying auxiliary portion 2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the paper feed path, that is, above the paper feed path on the upstream side and below the paper feed path on the downstream side, respectively. In the carrying auxiliary portion 2, a carrying force generating rib 22 is at the center of the width direction and positioned facing the contact member 10a of the paper feed roller 1. Double feed preventing ribs 23a and 23b are arranged symmetrically widthwise with respect to the carrying force generating rib 22.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input tray comprises a base and opposing sidewalls. The base includes a first feature configured to support sheet media lying flat in the tray and a second feature intersecting the first feature across the width of the tray. The intersection between the first feature and the second feature defines an elongated fulcrum along which media sheets can bend when pressed against the base. In another embodiment, a sheet media input tray comprises a first elevated sheet supporting surface, a depressed portion immediately adjacent to and downstream from the first sheet supporting surface, and a second elevated sheet supporting surface immediately adjacent to and downstream from the depressed portion. The depressed portion spans the full width of sheet media that may be supported in the tray and the second sheet supporting surface lies in the same plane as the first sheet supporting surface.

Abstract: A base part of a paper feeding device for supporting paper edges of a plurality of sheets of paper is provided with paper feeding load applying means which extends in a paper feeding direction and includes a plurality of convex portions having a same height and arranged on a surface of the paper feeding load applying means in parallel in a paper feeding direction, and a paper feeding roller which comes in contact with an uppermost sheet of paper to apply a feeding force to the sheet of paper. A surface of the paper feeding load applying means is divided into a front side region and a back side region, and all the convex portions positioned in the back side region are eliminated thereby to form a flat face in the back side region.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device comprises a sheet feeding member having an outer layer thereof, a sheet loaded on a sheet loading member being depressed on a peripheral surface of the outer layer, the sheet feeding member delivering the sheet depressed to the peripheral surface, through rotation of the peripheral surface. An inclination member having a depression portion and an inclined surface, the depression portion depressing the sheet on the peripheral surface, and a leading edge of the sheet being brought in contact with the inclined surface. The outer layer of the sheet feeding member is formed of a cross-linked rubber material which has a JIS-A hardness in a range between 25 degrees and 40 degrees, a tearing strength measured with a JIS B-type specimen, which is 10 N/mm or more, and a viscoelastic characteristic expressed by a loss tangent, which is 0.045 or less.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a resistance element with which a front end of the paper becomes in contact so that a paper on a top of the stack of papers is separated from the stack of papers and picked up from a cassette, an angle conversion unit which changes an inclination angle of the resistance element with respect to the front end of the paper, and a switching gear which is moved by a carriage to a first position to feed the paper and to a second position to drive the angle conversion unit.

Abstract: A sheet separator for a printer includes a plurality of inclined separator strips, with a feed mechanism for urging a sheet from a stack toward the separator strips. The separator strips are oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the sheets of the stack, and at least one of the inclined separator strips is a retard separator strip. The retard separator strip includes a first separator surface closer to the stack, and a second separator surface farther from the stack. The second separator surface has a higher coefficient of friction than the first separator surface. The plane of at least a portion of the first separator surface is above the plane of the second separator surface of the same retard separator strip. The proximal portion of the first separator surface nearer to the stack of sheets forms a larger obtuse angle with respect to the sheets than does a distal portion of that first separator surface.

Abstract: The feeding apparatus 50 includes a hopper 51 that is provided operable to support the papers in inclined attitude and pivot around a pivot axis 51a, and a feed roller 53 that is provided at a feed roller shaft 54 and feeds the paper to the downstream side by rotating in contact with the paper. When seen from the side view of the feeding path, guide rollers 57 and 58 are provided near the feed roller 53 and are driven to rotate in contact with paper. A movable member, provided near the feed roller 53, pivots around a pivot axis 63a so that the movable member moves backward and forward to the feeding path. Accordingly, a clearance between the feed roller 53 and the hopper 51 is narrowed.

Abstract: An apparatus to feed paper in an image forming device, which picks up papers with various thickness received in the feeding stand without a feeding error, and transfers the same to the developing unit. The apparatus includes, a feeding stand to receive a plurality of papers, and having a separating guide inclined at a predetermined angle with which the front end of the paper makes contact with; a main pickup roller that makes contact with the paper on the uppermost layer in the upper part of the feeding stand to pick up the paper towards the separating guide using frictional force generated via rotational contact with the paper; and an auxiliary pickup roller positioned between the main pickup roller and the separating guide to apply a predetermined pressure to the paper upon picking up of the paper by the main pickup roller.

Abstract: A sheet-supply device supplying sheets one at a time from a stack of sheets in a sheet feeding direction. The device includes a slanting plate on which a stack of sheets is mounted. A sheet feed roller is positioned above the slanting plate applying a force to an uppermost sheet in the stack to move the sheet in a sheet feed direction. A fixed separation plate is fixed at a downstream end portion of the slanting plate. The separation plate is formed with a slot in which a high friction separation member is disposed. The high friction separation member is held by a resilient support plate 39 supported by the fixed separation plate. The resilient support plate has a comb like slats on which the high friction separation member is held. In a normal condition, the high friction separation member protrudes from the slot toward the leading edges of the sheets.