Patent ID: 7980551
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A feed device comprising: a loading unit in which a plurality of recording mediums is loaded in a stacked state; a delivery mechanism which has a first outer circumferential surface set such that friction force with the recording mediums is greater than friction force generated among the plurality of recording mediums when a feed operation is performed in a state of being in contact with the recording mediums and a second outer circumferential surface having a hardness higher than that of the first outer circumferential surface, and which performs the feed operation in a state in which at least the first outer circumferential is in contact with an uppermost recording medium of the recording mediums loaded on the loading unit so as to deliver the recording medium in a feed direction; a gate member which is configured to move toward the second outer circumferential surface of the delivery mechanism or separate from the second outer circumferential surface of the delivery mechanism and which has an inclined surface with which a front end of the recording medium delivered by the delivery mechanism collides; and a gate energizing member which energizes the gate member in a direction approaching the second outer circumferential surface of the delivery mechanism, wherein, in the uppermost recording medium which is delivered by the delivery mechanism such that the front end thereof collides with the surface of the gate member, a gap through which only the uppermost recording medium may pass is formed between the delivery mechanism and the gate member by moving the gate member against the energizing force of the gate energizing member in the direction separating from the delivery mechanism, wherein the delivery mechanism includes a feed roller which has the first outer circumferential surface and which is supported so as to be rotated around a rotary shaft, and wherein the delivery mechanism also include a guide roller which has the second outer circumferential surface and which is supported so as to be rotated around the rotary shaft, such that the first outer circumferential surface is disposed at a different location from the second outer circumferential surface in an axis direction of the rotary shaft, and wherein the gate member is disposed opposite to the guide rollers without being disposed opposite to the feed roller such that the gate member contacts the second outer circumferential surfaces of the guide rollers as the guide rollers rotate around the rotary shaft without contacting the first outer circumferential surface of the feed roller.