Automatic sheet feeding apparatus

Abstract: Apparatus comprising sheet supporting means (7) for supporting a plurality of sheets (100), sheet supply means (1) for feeding out the sheets (100) supported by the sheet supporting means (7), separation means (6) for separating the sheets (100) one by one by abutting the sheet (100) against the separation means (6) and by riding one of the sheets (100) over the separation (6) means, and flexion permitting means for causing the sheet supply means (1) not to apply the load to the flexion of the sheet (100) produced when the sheet (100) is riding over the separation means (6).

Description: The present invention relates to an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a recording system using such an automatic sheet feeding apparatus. In the past, as automatic sheet feeding apparatus for successively feeding stacked recording sheets or originals (referred to generically as "sheets" hereinafter) one by one to a recording system or an image reading system, the following three types have been well used. A sheet feeding apparatus of the first type which has been most widely used is of claw separation type, an example of which is shown in Fig. 28. This apparatus comprises a pair of substantially triangular separating claws 101 associated with front corners of stacked sheets 100, a pair of sheet supply rollers 102 (only one of which is shown) abutted against an upper surface of the sheet stack and adapted to feed the sheets 100 downwardly, a sheet supply roller shaft 103, a pressure plate 104 for urging the sheet stack 100 against the sheet supply rollers 102, a spring (not shown) for biasing the pressure plate 104 upwardly, separation sheets 105 adapted to prevent the double-feed of the sheets 100 and adhered to the pressure plate 104 in confronting relation to the sheet supply rollers 102, and a sheet cassette 106, and is so designed that the sheets are separated one by one by creating a loop in the sheet by making good use of the resilience of the sheet (resistance to the bending of the sheet) to ride the sheet over the separating claws 101. A sheet feeding apparatus of the second type is of friction separation type, an example of which is shown in Fig. 29. This apparatus comprises a separation roller 102 having a relatively large diameter, a separation roller shaft 103, a separation pad 107 urged against the separation roller 102, a spring (not shown) for biasing the separation pad 107 upwardly, a feed roller 108 for feeding sheets 100 intermittently, and a pinch roller 109, and is so designed that the sheets are separated by making the good use of a friction force. A sheet feeding apparatus of the third type is of so-called bank separation type, an example of which is shown in Fig. 30. In this apparatus, a bank 110 having a ramp surface included at an appropriate angle is disposed at a downstream side of a sheet stack 100 in a sheet feeding direction, and the sheets 100 are separated one by one by bending the sheet 100 along the ramp surface of the bank 110 by a feeding force of sheet supply rollers 102 against which the sheet stack 100 is urged by a pressure plate 104 and a pressure plate spring 111. However, the above-mentioned sheet separating techniques has the following drawbacks. First of all, in the sheet feeding apparatus of claw separation type, since the sheets are separated by bending the front corner portions of the sheet to form the loop by the separating claws 101, it is difficult to form the loop, and, thus, to separate thicker sheets such as post cards, envelopes and the like which are hard to be bent. Further, regarding relatively thin sheets, since they have less resilience, the loops are formed on a plurality of sheets simultaneously, and, thus, it is difficult to separate the sheets one by one. Further, even for sheets having the normal thickness, under the high temperature and high humidity circumstances, since the sheet absorb the moisture to weaken their resilience, two or more sheets can be separated simultaneously, similar to the aforementioned thin sheets. In addition, a feeding force of the sheet supply rollers 102 must be increased to form the loop in the sheet. If this is done, since the separation pads 105 are formed on the pressure plate 104 under the sheet stack 100 to generate a predetermined friction force for preventing the double-feed of the sheets (the last two sheets are fed simultaneously), when the sheet is absent, the sheet supply rollers 102 are slidingly contacted with the separation pads 105 directly, thereby increasing the load. Thus, a motor having the greater torque is required. Further, since a space for accommodating the loop of the sheet is required above the separating claws 101, the apparatus becomes large-sized. Next, in the sheet feeding apparatus of friction separation type, since the sheets are separated by the squeezing action of the friction pad 107 and the separation roller 102, the greater freedom of the thickness of the sheet to be used is presented, for example, from the normal copying sheet to the post card. However, the ability for separating the thin sheets is unstable, and the diameter of the separation roller 102 must be relatively large, thus making the apparatus large-sized. Further, since the lower sheet cannot be separated unless the separation pad 107 is always contacted with the separation roller 102, even after the sheet is fed, the separation roller 102 must be rotatingly driven, with the result that the separation roller 102 is always subjected to the rotational load. Thus, a motor having the greater torque is required. Further, in a printing system, when a trailing end of the sheet leaves the separation roller, the variation in load causes the uneven feeding of the sheet, thereby worsening the image quality. In addition, since the sheets are separated at their leading end portions, an additional means is required for abutting the sheet 100 against a nip between the separation roller 102 and the separation pad 107, and, therefore, the feeding means 108, 109 must be arranged - at an upstream side or another pad capable of being contacted with and separated from the separation roller 102 must be arranged, thus making the apparatus complicated, large-sized and expensive. In the sheet feeding apparatus of bank separation type, although the construction thereof is relatively simple, since the resilience of the sheet is utilized to separate the sheets, it is difficult or impossible to separate sheets other than the post cards and other sheets having the same thickness as that of the post card (having the same resilience as that of the post card); therefore, such bank separation technique cannot be used with sheet feeding apparatuses other than an automatic sheet feeding apparatus for the thicker sheets such as a post card feeder. In this way, none of the above-mentioned three separation types can surely separate the various sheets from the thin sheets to the thicker sheets such as the post cards, envelopes and the like, and, thus, kinds of sheets to be separated are limited. Accordingly, in order to treat sheets having various thickness, since the above-mentioned three separation types must be combined and be switched to treat the respective sheets, or the sheet feeding apparatus must be replaced to cope with the sheets having the specific thickness, not only the operability is worsened but also the system becomes expensive and large-sized. A generic automatic sheet feeding apparatus is known from the DE-A-3 211 371. This automatic sheet feeding apparatus comprises sheet supporting means on which sheets are supported to be fed out by sheet supply means. An upright separation means is provided for separating the sheets one by one by abutting the tip end of the sheet against it. The sheets are separated by riding the most upper sheet over the separation means after the flexion of the sheet is eliminated by the sheet supply means such that the sheet is tensioned in transverse direction with respect to the sheet feeding direction. A further automatic sheet feeding apparatus is known from the DE-A-2 263 468. According to this apparatus the separation means allows a flexion of she sheet to he separated when it is fed. It is an object of the present invention to further develop an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 and to provide a recording system using this automatic sheet feeding apparatus such that a safe separation of the sheets regardless of their thickness is guaranteed. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are set out in the dependent claims. The recording system using the automatic sheet feeding apparatus is defined in claim 20. Further, means for tiltably supporting the separation means may be provided to change the inclination of the separation means in accordance with the stiffness of the sheet. With the arrangement as mentioned above, since the formation of the flexion of the sheet effected when the sheet is riding over the separation means against which the sheets are abutted in not regulated by the sheet supply means, it is possible to surely separate the sheets by a single construction or structure, regardless of the stiffness of various sheets. Further, since the inclination of the separation means can be changed in accordance with the stiffness of the sheets, in case of thin sheets, by decreasing the inclination of the separation means, it is possible to surely separate the thin sheets one by one. On the other hand, in case of thicker sheets, by increasing the inclination of the separation means so that the sheet can ride over the separation means with less flexion, it is possible to reduce the feeding force of the sheet supply means. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are partial side elevational views for explaining an operation of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are partial end elevational views for explaining an operation of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the deformation of a sheet caused when the sheet is separated from the other sheets by the apparatus of Fig. 1; Figs. 11 and 12 are partial side elevational views for explaining an operation of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 13 is a partial side elevational view showing a condition that thicker sheets are separated by the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 14 is a partial side elevational view of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 15 is a partial side elevational view for explaining an operation of the apparatus of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a partial end elevational view of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 17 is a partial side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a partial end elevational view of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 19 is a partial side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is a partial side elevational view of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 21 is a partial side elevational view showing an operation of the apparatus of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is a partial end elevational view of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 23 is a partial side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 22; Fig. 24 is a partial end elevational view of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 25 is a partial side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 24; Fig. 26 is a partial side elevational view of an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 27 is a schematic elevational view of a recording system incorporating the automatic sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention therein; Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional sheet feeding apparatus of claw separation type; Fig. 29 is an elevational view showing an example of a conventional sheet feeding apparatus of friction separation type; Fig. 30 is an elevational view showing an example of a conventional sheet feeding apparatus of bank separation type. The present invention will now be explained by way of preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partial end elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a partial side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1. In Figs. 1 to 3, each of sheet supply rollers 1 is formed as a thin disk made of material having high coefficient of friction (for example, rubber, polyurethane foam or the like) to easily deform in an axial direction of the roller. Further, each sheet supply roller has a central boss 1a formed integrally therewith to be connected to a roller shaft 2. The roller shaft 2 on which the sheet supply rollers 1 are secured at predetermined positions is supported in such a manner that a position of this shaft in a thrust direction is regulated by thrust bearings (not shown). Pulleys 2a are secured to both ends of the roller shaft 2. A transmission shaft 3 to both ends of which driving pulleys 3a are secured is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown). Belts 5 are wound around and extend between the pulleys 2a and the corresponding driving pulleys 3a, respectively, to transmit the rotation of the transmission shaft 3 to the roller shaft 2. Each belt 5 may comprise a timing belt or a flat belt. A motor 4 is rigidly connected to the transmission shaft 3 and preferably comprises a stepping motor because the rotation of the motor in normal and reverse directions can easily be controlled. By selecting the rotational direction of the motor 4, the transmission shaft 3 can be rotated in the normal direction or the reverse direction. Further, the roller shaft 2 is supported by rocker arms (not shown) pivotable around the transmission shaft 3 so that the roller shaft 2 can be rotated and revolved around the transmission shaft 3. A separation plate 6 having a semi-cylindrical end surface 6a is formed as a thin plate made of elastic material such as a polyester sheet and the like. The separation plate 6 is disposed between the sheet supply rollers 1, and is also arranged at a downstream side of contact areas between the sheet supply rollers 1 and a sheet 100 so that the separation plate extends in parallel with a line connecting between the left and right contact areas of the sheet supply rollers 1 (to the sheet). The separation plate 6 is attached to a sheet deck 7 and is provided with two slits 6a (one of which is not shown in Fig. 1) in confronting relation to the sheet supply rollers 1. The sheet deck 7 serves to stack the sheets 100 thereon and regulates the position of the sheet stack. The sheet deck 7 is provided with openings 7a (one of which is not shown in Fig. 1) aligned with the slits 6b of the separation plate 6. A stopper 7b having a predetermined width is integrally formed with the sheet deck 7 and is disposed at a downstream side of the separation plate 6. The width of the stopper 7b is preferably smaller than the contour of the separation plate 6 so that it does not interfere with the sheet separated by the separation plate 6. Further, the stopper 7b is disposed behind the separation plate 6 with a small gap therebetween and has a height smaller than that of the separation plate 6. Thus, when the separation plate 6 is abutted against the stopper 7b, it is stopped by the stopper 7b at a predetermined inclined position. Side guides 7c and an end guide 7d serve to regulate lateral edges and a trailing end of the sheet stack, respectively. Next, an operation of the sheet feeding apparatus according to the illustrated embodiment will be explained with reference to Figs. 4 to 10. First of all, in Figs. 4 and 7, when the motor 4 is rotated in a direction shown by the arrow A, the transmission shaft 3 and the driving pulleys 3a are rotated in the same direction A. Further, the belts 5 and the pulleys 2a are also rotated in the same direction as that of the motor 4, thus rotating the roller shaft 2 in the same direction A. Accordingly, the sheet supply rollers are rotated in the direction A and are also revolved toward a direction shown by the arrow B (i.e., direction that the sheet supply rollers are abutted against the sheet stack 100) by the rotation of the transmission shaft 3. The sheet supply rollers 1 are abutted against an uppermost sheet 100a on the sheet stack 100 and feed out the sheet stack in a direction shown by the arrow C (Fig. 5). The sheet stack 100 is bodily shifted to push the separation plate 6. As a result, the separation plate 6 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction (shown by the arrow D) until it is abutted against the stopper 7b. Since the sheets other than the uppermost sheet 100a are pushed in the direction C by the friction force between the sheets, these sheets are stopped when they are abutted against the separation plate 6 (see Figs. 5 and 8). When the sheet supply rollers 1 are further rotated to try to feed the uppermost sheet 100a in the direction C, since portions of the uppermost sheet 100a which are abutted against the separation plate 6 cannot be deformed due to the resilience of the sheet, the uppermost sheet 100a is deformed to bend upwardly near a central portion of the separation plate 6, thereby trying to ride over the separation plate 6 (see Figs. 6 and 9). In this case, the uppermost sheet 100a pulls the sheet supply rollers 1 inwardly by an amount corresponding to the deformation of the sheet. Such amount depends upon the configuration of the end surface 6a of the separation plate 6, and is (L1 - L2) in Fig. 9. Now, since the sheet supply rollers 1 have the plate-like shape, they are easily deformed inwardly, thereby not preventing the uppermost sheet 100a from riding over the separation plate 6. Accordingly, in this case, the sheet supply rollers 1 are pulled inwardly to deform by a tension force of the sheet 100a. The deformation of the uppermost sheet 100a in this case occurs locally, and, as shown in Fig. 10, the deformation is formed between the sheet supply rollers 1 as a swelling portion (shown by a hatched area 100b) of a substantially triangle having the base corresponding to the separation plate 6 and two arcuate oblique sides or legs. Since the deformation is created by the feeding force of the sheet supply rollers 1 and the tension force of the sheet 100a itself, by appropriately selecting the shape of the separation plate 6, any deformation is not created in the underlying sheets. After the uppermost sheet 100a was separated alone, the separated sheet is directed to downstream main feed rollers (not shown). Thereafter, when the motor 4 is reversely rotated in a direction opposite to the direction A, the condition shown in Fig. 4 is restored. In this way, a sheet separating and feeding cycle is completed. In the position shown in Fig. 4, even when the motor 4 is stopped, the roller shaft 2 remains its position by a click member or holder member (not shown). When the remaining sheets becomes few by repeating the separating and feeding of the sheets, as shown in Fig. 11, the sheet supply rollers 1 are revolved by a greater angle toward the sheet stack, whereby the sheet supply rollers 1 are further spaced apart from the separation plate 6. Further, a contacting area (line) between the separation plate 6 and the uppermost sheet 100a becomes greater and the larger loop must be formed in the uppermost sheet 100a to ride over the separation plate 6. However, since the distance between the sheet supply rollers 1 and the separation plate 6 becomes longer, the sheet can be deformed more easily so that the greater loop can be formed by the same feeding force (of the sheet supply rollers) as the feeding force for the aforementioned first uppermost sheet. In this case, the positional relation between the transmission shaft 3 and the roller shaft 2, and the separating mode can be appropriately selected or set. Fig. 12 shows a condition that there is no sheet on the sheet deck. In this case, the sheet supply rollers 1 are slightly penetrated into the slits 6a of the separation plate 6 and the openings 7a of the sheet deck 7, and the movement of the roller shaft 2 is prevented by a stopper (not shown). Thus, when there is no sheet, since the sheet supply rollers 1 can be idly rotated, it is possible to prevent the excessive load from acting on the motor. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 13, when the thicker sheets such as post cards and the like are used, since the separation plate 6 is greatly deformed above the stopper 7b, the loop formed in the thicker sheet may be smaller to ride over the separation plate, whereby the increase in the feeding force of the sheet supply rollers is not required. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figs. 14 and 15 are elevational sectional views of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Constructural elements having the same functions as those of the elements shown in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. Sheet supply rollers 1 are the same as those shown in the first embodiment, except that they have semi-circular or D-cut shapes. In place of pulleys, push-down cams 10 are attached to both ends of a roller shaft 2, and this roller shaft 2 is rotated in one direction (shown by the arrow A) without changing its position. Each cam 10 has a push-down portion 10a having a larger circular contour, and the cams are secured to both ends of the roller shaft 2 with the same orientation or phase in such a manner that the push-down portions 10a of the cams are directed to the same direction as corresponding cut-out portions 1b of the sheet supply rollers 1. A pressure plate 11 is secured to a free end of a pressure plate leaf spring 12 in confronting relation to the sheet supply rollers 1. The leaf spring 12 is formed from a thin plate of spring material such as a stainless steel and serves to urge a sheet stack 100 rested on the pressure plate against the sheet supply rollers 1. The other end of the leaf spring 12 is secured to a portion of a sheet deck (not shown). Incidentally, the pressure plate 11 may be provided with slits or openings (each having a width slightly greater than that of the corresponding sheet supply roller 1) similar to those in the first embodiment so that the sheet supply rollers 1 do not slidingly contact with the pressure plate 11 directly when there is no sheet on the pressure plate, thereby preventing the excessive load from acting on the motor. Pressure plate levers 13 are attached to both lateral edges of the pressure plate leaf spring 12 and are provided at their upper ends with contact portions 13a which are adapted to be engaged by the corresponding push-down cams 10. An operation of the sheet feeding apparatus according to the second embodiment will be explained. In Fig. 14, normally, the cut-out portions 1b of the sheet supply rollers 1 are opposed to the sheet stack 100 so that the sheet supply rollers 1 do not contact with the sheet stack 100. The sheet stack 100 is regulated in all of four directions (at its leading end, trailing end and two lateral edges), and the leading end of the sheet stack is abutted against the separation plate 6. Now, when the sheet supply rollers 1 are rotated in a clockwise direction (direction A), the push-down cams 10 are disengaged from the pressure plate levers 13, with the result that the pressure plate 11 is shifted upwardly by the leaf spring 12, thereby urging the sheet stack 100 against the sheet supply rollers 1 (see Fig. 15). The operation for separating only the uppermost sheet 100a from the other sheets 100 is the same as that shown in the first embodiment. After the sheet supply rollers, 1 are rotated in the direction by one revolution, one cycle is completed and the condition shown in Fig. 14 is restored. In this case, although the sheet stack 100 is positioned below the sheet supply rollers 1, since the cut-out portions 1b of the sheet supply rollers 1 are opposed to the sheet stack, the movement of the sheet stack 100 is permitted. In this second embodiment, since the sheet supply rollers 1 are rotated without changing their positions, the contacting area (line) between the separation plate 6 and the uppermost sheet 100a is always constant, thus permitting the stable separation of the sheet. Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Fig. 16 is an elevational end view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 17 is a side elevational view of the apparatus. In this third embodiment, each of sheet supply rollers 1 is made of elastic foam material such as urethane sponge (closed foams are preferable to provide the adequate elasticity), and, peripheral surfaces of the sheet supply rollers may be coated by silicone and the like to provide the high coefficient of friction. With this arrangement, when the uppermost sheet 100a is separated from the other sheets, the sheet supply rollers 1 can be approached in the axial direction due to the deformation of the sponge material without slipping with respect to the contacting sheet. Further, since the contacting areas between the sheet supply rollers and the sheet 100 are greater, the separating ability is hard to be influenced upon the surface condition of the sheet and/or dirt on the sheet. Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Fig. 18 is an elevational end view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 19 is a side elevational view of the apparatus. Sheet supply rollers 1 are formed as ring members which are usually used and which are made of rubber and the like. A keyway 2b having a predetermined length is formed in a roller shaft 2 along an axial direction thereof. Slide bushes 14 are mounted on the roller shaft 2 for sliding movement along the keyway 2b, and the sheet supply rollers 1 are secured around the corresponding bushes. A compression spring 15 is disposed around the roller shaft between the bushes and serves to bias the slide bushes 14 away from each other. Stoppers 16 are secured to the roller shaft 2 at predetermined positions and serve to regulate the axial positions of the slide bushes 14 on the roller shaft 2. With this arrangement, the sheet supply rollers 1 can receive a rotational force from the roller shaft 2 and can also be shifted in the axial direction of the roller shaft 2. In operation, the slide bushes 14 are shifted toward each other by the tension force of the uppermost sheet 100a in opposition to a biasing force of the compression spring 15, thereby separating the uppermost sheet 100a alone in the same manner as mentioned above. Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figs. 20 and 21 are side elevational views of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This sheet feeding apparatus has the same fundamental construction as that of the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment, a separation plate 6 is formed by a rigid member having a bearing portions 6c through which the plate is rotatably mounted on a stopper 7b. The separation plate 6 is normally held in a vertical position by a separation spring (compression spring) 17. In separating the sheets, the separation plate 6 is inclined at a predetermined angle (in opposition to the separation spring), thereby facilitating the formation of the loop in the uppermost sheet 100a. That is to say, in case of sheets having less resilience such as thin sheets, the separation plate 6 is inclined by a smaller angle, thereby permitting the formation of the large loop in the uppermost sheet; whereas, in case of sheets having greater resilience such as thicker sheets, the separation plate 6 is inclined more greatly, thus forming the relatively small loop in the sheet. Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Fig. 22 is an elevational end view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 23 is a side elevational view of the apparatus. A first sheet supply roller 1 is formed from a standard roller having a relatively great width and serves mainly to feed the sheet. A second sheet supply roller 1d is formed from a thin plate-shaped member so that, in separating the sheets, the second sheet supply roller 1d is deformed in the axial direction to permit the formation of the loop in the uppermost sheet 100a. In this case, since the first sheet supply roller 1 does not shift in the axial direction, it can feed the separated sheet in parallel, thereby improving the sheet feeding ability. Further, this embodiment is particularly suitable to be used with a single-sized reference for sheet regulation. For example, in the sheet feeding apparatus wherein both of the sheets of A4 size and the post cards can be used, when the post cards are to be separated, the position of the separation plate 6 can be adjusted so that the post cards stacked with abutting one lateral edges thereof against the side reference can be separated by the separation plate. Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figs. 24 and 25 show a sheet feeding apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of sheet supply rollers 1 is provided with a plurality of radial slits 1e to facilitate the deformation of the sheet supply roller in an axial direction thereof. With this arrangement, the material and outer diameter of the sheet supply rollers 1 can be selected within a more wider range. Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Fig. 26 is a side elevational sectional view of a sheet feeding apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a base portion 6c of a separation plate 6 having an end surface 6a is inclined forwardly and downwardly. With this arrangement, since the base portion 6c of the separation plate 6 is previously inclined, even when the remaining sheets become few, the sheet 100 can surely be separated and fed out. Fig. 27 is a schematic elevational view of a recording system into which the automatic sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention is incorporated. The sheet 100 picked up by the automatic sheet feeding apparatus X is sent to a nip between a pinch roller 20 and a feed roller 21. The sheet 100 is further fed by the paired rollers 20, 21 to advance on a platen 22 of the recording system Y. Meanwhile, an image is recorded on the sheet by a recording head 23 of the recording system in response to a predetermined image information. Thereafter, the sheet on which the image was recorded is ejected onto an ejection tray 26 by a pair of ejector rollers 24, 25. The recording head 23 is formed integrally with an ink tank to constitute a replaceable ink jet recording head. The recording head 23 is provided with electrical/thermal converters so that the recording is effected by selectively discharging ink from ink discharge opening(s) of the recording head by utilizing the pressure change generated by growth and contraction of bubble(s) caused by the film boiling of the ink effected by energy applied to the selected electrical/ thermal converter(s). Incidentally, the recording head is not limited to the above-mentioned ink jet recording type, but may be other appropriate recording type. Further, the present invention can be applied to an original feeding apparatus of an original reading system. In the illustrated embodiments, while the separation plate was made of flexible material or was pivotally mounted and spring-biased, means for holding the separation plate at a predetermined angle are provided so that the angle of the separation plate can be manually adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the sheet. As mentioned above, according to the present invention, since the loop permitting means permits the formation of the loop in the sheet when the sheet is riding over the separation means, it is possible to separate the sheets regardless of the thickness and material of the sheet. Thus, it is possible to separate various sheets from thin sheets to thicker sheets such as post cards, envelopes and the like with a single structure. In addition, because of the simple construction, it is possible to provide a compact and cheap automatic sheet feeding apparatus and image forming system.

Claims: An automatic sheet feeding apparatus, comprising: sheet supporting means (7) for supporting a plurality of sheets (100, 100a), sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) for feeding out the sheets supported by said sheet supporting means (7) and upright separation means (6) for separating the sheets one by one by abutting a tip end of the sheet against said separation means (6) and by riding one (100a) of the sheets over said separation means (6), characterized in that said separation means (6) is capable of displacing so that a top end thereof moves forwardly in the sheet supply direction during separation and said one (100a) of said sheets (100, 100a) forms a flexion at least with respect to the feeding direction so that a flexion ridge extends at least in the feeding direction when it is riding over the separation means (6); and wherein a flexion permitting means causes said sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) not to apply the load to the flexion of the sheet (100, 100a) produced when the sheet (100, 100a) is riding over said separation means (6). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexion permitting means are provided such that said sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) permit said flexion of said sheet (100a) by causing said sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) to follow said flexion of said sheet (100, 100a) produced when said sheet (100, 100a) is riding over said separation means (6). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a portion of said sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) which is contacted with said sheet (100, 100a) is made of flexible material so that said portion of the flexible material can deform in response to said flexion of said sheet (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a portion of said sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) which is contacted with said sheet (100, 100a) is made of foam material so that said portion of the foam material can deform in response to said flexion of said sheet (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) has a rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) for feeding out said sheet (100, 100a) by its rotation while abutting against said sheet (100, 100a), and said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) is slidable along its rotation axis (2) so that said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) can be slidingly shifted in response to said flexion of said sheet (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by an elastic member (15) for returning the shifted rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) to its original sheet feeding position. An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) comprises a disk-shaped sheet supply roller (1), and said sheet supply roller (1) is provided with a plurality of radial slits (1e) so that said roller (1) can be deformed in response to said flexion of said sheet (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according claim 1, characterized in that said separation means (6) is disposed at a position in correspondence to a substantially central portion of leading ends of said sheets (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said sheet supply means (1, 1d, 2) has a plurality of rotary sheet supply members (1, 1d) for feeding out said sheet (100, 100a) by their rotations while abutting against said sheets (100, 100a), and said rotary sheet supply members (1, 1d) are disposed on the left and right sides of said separation means (6) substantially in parallel with the leading ends of said sheets (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said separation means (6) comprises a semi-circular plate member, and said sheet (100, 100a) is flexed along a semi-circular periphery of said plate member (6) to be separated one by one. An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sheet supply means has a rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) pivotally supported around a fulcrum arranged in the vicinity of said separation means (6) and adapted to feed out said sheet (100, 100a) while abutting against said sheets (100) stacked on said sheet supporting means (7), and said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) is abutted against said sheets (100, 100a) at a substantially constant position from said separation means (6) regardless of an amount of the stacked sheets (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 11, characterized by transmission means (5) for transmitting a driving force to said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) via said fulcrum, whereby, a driving force in a sheet feeding direction is transmitted to said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) by said transmission means (5), said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) is pivoted toward a direction that said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) is abutted against said sheets (100, 100a), and, when a driving force in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction is transmitted to said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d), said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) is pivoted toward a direction that said rotary sheet supply member (1, 1d) is separated from said sheets (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sheet supporting means (7) has a support plate (12) for biasing said sheets (100, 100a) toward said sheet supply means (1, 1d), and a spacing means (10, 11, 13) is provided between said sheet supply means (1, 1d) and said support plate (12) to space said support plate (12) apart from said sheet supply means (1, 1d) in opposition to a biasing force of said support plate (12). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that said spacing means (10, 11, 13) comprises a cam (10) provided on one of said sheet supply means (1, 1d) and said support plate (12), and a lever (13) is provided on the other of said sheet supply means (1, 1d) and said support plate (12). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by support means (7b, 17) for tiltably supporting said separation means (6). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that an inclined angle of said support means (7b, 17) is varied in accordance with a force applied to said support means (7b, 17) from leading ends of the sheets (100, 100a). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that said separation means (6) comprises a thin elastic plate (6) so that said plate (6) is elastically deformed and inclined when the sheets (100, 100a) abut against said plate (6). An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that said separation means (6) comprises a pivotable plate, and an elastic member (17) for biasing said plate, whereby said plate is inclined in opposition to an elastic force of sad elastic member (17) when the sheets (100, 100a) abut against said plate. An automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 16, characterized by a stopper (7b) for preventing said separation means (6) from being inclined more than a predetermined angle. A recording system, comprising: recording means (23) for recording an image on a sheet (100, 100a) separated one by one by separation means (6) using an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to any of the preceding claims. A recording system according to claim 20, characterized in that said recording means (23) is of ink jet-type in which the recording is effected by selectively discharging ink from discharge openings by growth of bubbles caused by heating the ink exceeding the film boiling of the ink by means of electrical/thermal converters.

Inventors: BEKKI TOSHIHIKO, HASEGAWA KOH, HIRANO HIROFUMI, IKADO MASAHARU, INOUE HIROYUKI, BEKKI, TOSHIHIKO, HASEGAWA, KOH, HIRANO, HIROFUMI, IKADO, MASAHARU, INOUE, HIROYUKI, BEKKI, TOSHIHIKO, C/O CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HASEGAWA, KOH, C/O CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HIRANO, HIROFUMI, C/O CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, IKADO, MASAHARU, C/O CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, INOUE, HIROYUKI, C/O CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65H3
IPC codes: B65H3