Patent ID: 8177221
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet separation device comprising: a separation member comprising a plurality of first separation portions configured to separate fed sheets one by one by contacting the fed sheets; and a turning member having an inclined surface and a plurality of holes formed therethrough, the turning member comprising a plurality of second separation portions, wherein the inclined surface is positioned to contact the fed sheets and turn a transport direction of the sheets, the plurality of the holes are arranged along a first direction, wherein the first direction is a transport direction of the sheets, the plurality of the second separation portions are configured to contact the fed sheets, thereby separating the fed sheets one by one, and each of the plurality of the second separation portions is positioned between a corresponding two of the plurality of the holes, each of the plurality of the first separation portions is positioned to protrude from a corresponding one of the plurality of the holes, and the plurality of the second separation portions protrude from the inclined surface, and for each of the second separation portions, a distance from the inclined surface to a protruding end of one of the plurality of the second separation portions is smaller than a distance from the inclined surface to a protruding end of the adjacent first separation portions of the plurality of the first separation portions.