Patent ID: 6186491
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A sheet feeding apparatus comprising:a sheet feed portion for feeding a plurality of sheets of different sizes in a direction of thickness thereof in an upright state;a suction belt having a belt hole for drawing each sheet fed from said sheet feed portion by suction, so as to feed out each sheet drawn by suction with the belt hole;drive means for driving said suction belt;negative pressure generating means for generating a pressure for drawing the sheet by suction in the belt hole;a valve for selectively applying the negative pressure from said negative pressure generating means to the belt hole;a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure in the belt hole;a first detection sensor for detecting the sheet fed out by said suction belt;a second detection sensor for detecting the belt hole after the sheet is fed out; andcontrol means for controlling operations of said valve and said drive means on the basis of detection outputs from said pressure sensor and said first and second detection sensors.