Patent ID: 7699304
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: B65H,G03G

Abstract:
1. A paper feed structure for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a paper feed portion for feeding and conveying paper, sheet by sheet, upward, selectively from the paper accommodated in a paper feed cassette arranged at the bottom of the main apparatus body; a printing portion for forming an unfixed developer image on an image bearing member and transferring the unfixed developer image to the fed paper; a fixing portion disposed over the printing portion for fusing and fixing the unfixed developer image onto the paper; and, a paper discharge portion for discharging the paper with the developer image fused and fixed thereon from the top of the fixing portion or from the side wall of the apparatus, wherein the paper feed cassette in the paper feed portion incorporates: (i) a storage portion for storing predetermined sized paper in a generally horizontal orientation, (ii) a storage portion for storing small-sized paper in a generally vertical orientation, the small-sized paper having an area that is smaller than the predetermined sized paper, and (iii) individual paper conveyance paths for guiding the predetermined sized paper and the small-sized paper from respective storage portions to the printing portion, the paper conveyance paths sharing a common vertical portion, wherein the paper feed portion includes a conveying mechanism for delivering the predetermined sized paper out from the storage portion for storing predetermined sized paper in a generally sidewards direction and then vertically through the common vertical portion to the printing portion, and a conveying mechanism for delivering the small-sized paper out from the storage portion for storing small-sized paper in a generally vertical direction through the common vertical portion to the printing portion, wherein the common vertical portion shared by the paper conveyance paths for small-sized paper and predetermined sized paper is formed in the upper part of the paper feed cassette.