Patent Publication Number: US-11655112-B2

Title: Medium regulating component, medium feeding device, and medium processing apparatus using the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-153403 filed Sep. 13, 2020. 
     BACKGROUND 
     (i) Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a medium regulating component, and a medium feeding device and a medium processing apparatus using the medium regulating component. 
     (ii) Related Art 
     JP-A-2016-000653 (see the detailed description and FIG. 17) discloses that a tray bottom plate of a sheet feeing tray extends such that a long size sheet can be loaded thereon, air is blown from the side of the sheet-feeding tray to levitate a sheet, and the levitated sheet is adsorbed to a transport belt and delivered. 
     JP-B-3653502 (the detailed description, [0017], [0018], and FIG. 2) discloses an air sheet feeding apparatus including a levitating separating unit that blows air to the front surface of a sheet accommodated in a sheet accommodating portion to levitate the upper layer sheet and separate the uppermost layer sheet from the sheet below, an suction transport unit on the upper sheet side of the sheet accommodating portion that sucks the uppermost sheet and transports it to a sheet transport portion, and a holding member that presses downward the center of the rear portion of the uppermost sheet accommodated in the accommodating portion. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a medium regulating component that, in regulating excessive floating of a medium accommodated in an accommodating unit, easily rotates and retracts to both an upper side and a lower side, and is capable of stabilizing an initial position for medium regulation. 
     Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure address the above advantages and/or other advantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to address the advantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not address advantages described above. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a medium regulating component for use in a medium feeding device that feeds sheet media accommodated in an accommodating unit, the medium regulating component for regulating excessive floating of a medium accommodated in the accommodating unit, the medium regulating component including: a regulating member that protrudes in a horizontal direction from a periphery of the accommodating unit and that comes into contact with the floating medium; a holding member that holds the regulating member in a non-contact state with the medium; a first rotating shaft that supports the regulating member to be rotatable with respect to the holding member; and a second rotating shaft that supports the holding member to be rotatable with respect to the accommodating unit, in which when the regulating member receives a pressing force from below in a gravitational direction, the regulating member rotates about the first rotating shaft in a state where movement of the holding member is suppressed, and when the regulating member receives a pressing force from above in the gravitational direction, the regulating member pushes the holding member to rotate about the second rotating shaft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  is an explanatory view illustrating an outline of an exemplary embodiment of a medium feeding device to which the present disclosure is applied; 
         FIG.  1 B  is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the medium feeding device illustrated in  FIG.  1 A  as viewed from the B direction; 
         FIG.  1 C  is a schematic view of a medium regulating component; 
         FIG.  2    is an explanatory view illustrating an overall configuration of a medium processing apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is an explanatory view illustrating an example of the medium feeding device used in the medium processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is an explanatory view illustrating a control system of the medium feeding device according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is an explanatory perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of a medium accommodating portion of the medium feeding device according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is an explanatory view illustrating details of a vacuum head as a transfer unit according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is an explanatory cross-sectional view as viewed from a VII direction in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a configuration of an air processing mechanism illustrated in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  9 A  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a configuration of a levitating mechanism illustrated in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  9 B  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a configuration of a suction mechanism to the vacuum head illustrated in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  9 C  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of an air supply system to the air processing mechanism illustrated in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  10 A  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a configuration of an elevating mechanism illustrated in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  10 B  is an explanatory perspective view illustrating a main part of the elevating mechanism illustrated in  FIG.  10 A ; 
         FIG.  11    is an explanatory view illustrating a basic behavior of a medium regulating component used in the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  12    is an explanatory perspective view illustrating details of the medium regulating component used in the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  13    is an explanatory cross-sectional view as viewed from a XIII direction in  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    is an explanatory view illustrating a behavior of a regulating arm when receiving a pressing force from below in a gravitational direction; 
         FIG.  15    is an explanatory view illustrating a behavior of the regulating arm when receiving a pressing force from above in the gravitational direction; 
         FIG.  16    is an explanatory view illustrating a layout of the regulating arm; 
         FIG.  17    is an explanatory perspective view illustrating an appearance of a medium feeding device according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  18    is an explanatory view of a main part as viewed the main part of an internal structure of the medium feeding device illustrated in  FIG.  17   ; and 
         FIG.  19    is an explanatory view illustrating a main part of an accommodating portion for a long size medium in  FIG.  18   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Outline of Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG.  1 A  is an explanatory view illustrating an outline of an exemplary embodiment of a medium feeding device to which the present disclosure is applied. 
     A medium feeding device  150  illustrated in the drawing feeds sheet media S one by one, and in addition to a case where the medium feeding device  150  is used alone, is implemented as a medium processing apparatus by, for example, using in combination with a processing unit (not illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A to  1 C ) that performs predetermined processing on the fed medium S. The processing unit stated here includes any units such as an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium or a coating unit that coats the medium. 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , the medium feeding device  150  includes an accommodating unit  151  in which the sheet media S are accommodated, a delivery unit  152  that is provided on a delivery direction side of the media S accommodated in the accommodating unit  151  and delivers the media S one by one, a transfer unit  153  that is provided above the accommodating unit  151  and transfers the medium S accommodated in the accommodating unit  151  to the delivery unit  152 , and a medium regulating component  1  that is provided on the periphery of the accommodating unit  151  and regulates excessive floating of the accommodated medium S. 
     In such technical units, the accommodating unit  151  generally includes a loading portion on which the media S are loaded. Further, in an example in which the media S of various sizes are accommodated, a side guide portion and a rear guide portion are provided. The side guide portion guides the media S on the side intersecting a delivery direction of the media S. The rear guide portion guides the media S at the rear positioned on the side opposite to the delivery direction of the media S. Further, from the viewpoint of enabling the media S to be replenished, the accommodating unit  151  is often drawable with respect to a medium feeding device case. 
     Further, the delivery unit  152  broadly includes units having a function of delivering the medium S, but, for example, a paired delivery roller, a combination of a delivery roller and a delivery belt, or the like is typical. In this case, a function of nipping and delivering a medium S 1  that is a delivery target in the nip area between the paired delivery members may be implemented. For example, when the delivery unit  152  is a pair of rollers, the medium S 1  may be nipped in an area (nip area) where the pair of rollers is in contact with each other, and, additionally, one roller may transports a belt, and the pair of rollers may sandwich the belt. 
     Further, in the example, the transfer unit  153  broadly includes a unit that is provided above the accommodating unit  151  to receive the medium S accommodated in the accommodating unit  151  from the above, and transfers it to the delivery unit  152 . 
     Particularly, in an example in which the accommodating unit  151  accommodates a large number of media S or a long size media, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , a levitating unit  154  may be provided on the side intersecting the delivery direction of the media S accommodated in the accommodating unit  151 . The levitating unit  154  may blow air to the side of the media to levitate the media in a state where the upper area of the medium S is separated. The transfer unit  153  may adsorb the medium S 1  levitated by the levitating unit  154  and transfers it to the delivery unit  152 . 
     The reference numeral  154   a  in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  indicates an air blowing port provided in the accommodating unit  151 . 
     Further, in the example, the media S accommodated in the accommodating unit  151  is transferred from the transfer unit  153  positioned above the accommodating unit  151  to the delivery unit  152 . However, the medium S 1  that is the delivery target is required to be separated from the media S positioned below the medium S 1 , and is usually transferred to the transfer unit  153  in a floating state. 
     Particularly, in an example in which the levitating unit  154  is provided, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 B , the floating force of the medium S is further increased by acting the levitating force by the air, and the medium S is likely to excessively float. In this case, when the transfer unit  153  receives the medium S 1  in the excessive floating state, the transfer posture of the medium S 1  by the transfer unit  153  is collapsed, and the medium may be transferred to the delivery unit  152  in a greatly skewed state. 
     As a result, in the exemplary embodiment, the medium regulating component  1  is adopted to prevent the excessive floating of the medium described above. 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A to  1 C , the medium regulating component  1  includes a regulating member  2  that protrudes in the horizontal direction from a periphery of the accommodating unit  151  and that comes into contact with the floating medium S 1 , a holding member  3  that holds the regulating member  2  in a non-contact state with the medium S 1 , a first rotating shaft  4  that supports the regulating member  2  to be rotatable with respect to the holding member  3 , and a second rotating shaft  5  that supports the holding member  3  to be rotatable with respect to the accommodating unit  151 . When the regulating member  2  receives a pressing force from below in a gravitational direction, as illustrated by Mu in  FIG.  1 C , the regulating member  2  rotates about the first rotating shaft  4  in a state where movement of the holding member  3  is suppressed. When the regulating member  2  receives a pressing force from above in the gravitational direction, as illustrated by Md in  FIG.  1 C , the regulating member  2  pushes the holding member  3  to rotate about the second rotating shaft  5 . 
     In  FIG.  1 C , the regulating member  2  illustrated by the solid line is positioned in the initial position. Further, the regulating member  2  illustrated by the dotted line is a rotation trajectory when rotated in the Mu direction (corresponding to the upward rotating direction). Further, the regulating member  2  illustrated by the two-dot chain line is a rotation trajectory when rotated in the Md direction (corresponding to the downward rotating direction). 
     In such technical units, the regulating member  2  may simply protrude in a horizontal direction from the periphery of the accommodating unit  151 . Examples of the regulating member  2  include one that protrudes not only from the side in the width direction intersecting the delivery direction of the media S accommodated in the accommodating unit  151  and one that protrudes in the horizontal direction from the rear of the side opposite to the delivery direction of the media S. Further, as for the cross-sectional shape of the regulating member  2 , any shape such as a plate shape or a rod shape may be selected. The constituent piece of the regulating member  2  also broadly includes not only a single piece, but also plural pieces having an integrated structure, or separated pieces. 
     Further, the length dimension of the regulating member  2  may be freely selected. However, when the protruding dimension in the horizontal direction is too short, the contact area with the medium S 1  may be too small when regulating the excessive floating, and, additionally, when the protruding dimension in the horizontal direction is too long, the floating operation of the medium may be impaired, and thus, the length dimension may be selected in an optimum range. 
     Further, the holding member  3  may be appropriately selected as long as it implements the function of holding the regulating member  2 , and the cross-sectional shape, the length dimension, the number of constituent pieces, or the like may be appropriately selected. 
     Further, the first rotating shaft  4  and the second rotating shaft  5  each has a rotatable support shaft. It is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to this example. Alternatively, each of the first rotating shaft  4  and the second rotating shaft  5  may rotate about a virtual rotating shaft or may cover any other broad examples. 
     A representative example of the medium regulating component  1  implementing such functions includes a regulating member  2  that protrudes in the horizontal direction from a periphery of the accommodating unit  151  and that comes into contact with the floating medium S 1 , a holding member  3  that holds the regulating member  2  in a non-contact state with the medium S 1 , a first rotating shaft  4  that supports the regulating member  2  to be rotatable with respect to the holding member  3 , and a second rotating shaft  5  that supports the holding member  3  to be rotatable with respect to the accommodating unit  151 , a limiting unit  6  that limits movement of the holding member  3  when the regulating member  2  receives a pressing force from below in a gravitational direction to rotate upward, a restraining unit  7  that restrains the regulating member  2  with respect to the holding member  3  when the regulating member  2  receives a pressing force from above in the gravitational direction to rotate downward, and an urging unit  8  that urges the regulating member  2  to return to an initial position HP in which the regulating member  2  protrudes in the horizontal direction when the regulating member  2  rotates in an upward rotating direction (Mu direction) or in a downward rotating direction (Md direction) from the initial position HP. 
     In such technical units, the limiting unit  6  limits the movement of the holding member  3  to stop the holding member  3  at a predetermined position when the regulating member  2  rotates in the upward rotating direction (Mu direction), and thus, the rotational operation of the regulating member  2  about the first rotating shaft  4  is possible. 
     Further, the restraining unit  7  restraints the regulating member  2  with respect to the holding member  3  when the regulating member  2  rotates in the downward rotating direction (Md direction), and thus, the rotational operation of the regulating member  2  about the second rotating shaft  5  is possible while restraining the positional relationship between the regulating member  2  and the holding member  3 . 
     Further, the urging unit  8  may urge the regulating member  2  to return to the initial position HP when the regulating member  2  rotates in the upward rotating direction (Mu direction) or the downward rotating direction (Md direction) from the initial position HP. 
     Here, in the case of the upward rotating direction (Mu direction), since the regulating member  2  may return to the initial position HP by its own weight rotation, the urging force in the direction opposite to the upward rotating direction is not always necessary. As a result, the urging unit  8  is required to have an urging force to return the regulating member  2  to the initial position HP when the regulating member  2  rotates at least in the downward rotating direction (Md direction). 
     Next, a representative example of the medium regulating component  1  will be described. 
     The second rotating shaft  5  may disposed above the first rotating shaft  4 . In the example, the lowermost point position of the rotation trajectory of the regulating member  2  in the downward rotating direction (Md direction) may be disposed upward. 
     Particularly, the first rotating shaft  4  may be disposed substantially just below the second rotating shaft  5 . 
     Further, as an example of the urging unit  8 , a first urging unit that is provided about the first rotating shaft  4 , and, when the regulating member  2  rotates in the upward rotating direction (Mu direction), urges the regulating member  2  in the direction of returning to the initial position HP is provided. In the example, when the first urging unit is not provided, the returning force by the own weight exists. However, in the example in which the first urging unit is provided, it is easy to return the regulating member  2  to the initial position as the urging force increases. 
     Further, the urging unit  8  may include a second urging unit that is provided around the second rotating shaft  5 , and, when the regulating member  2  rotates in the downward rotating direction (Mu direction) in a state of being restrained by the holding member  3 , urges the regulating member  2  in the direction of returning to the initial position HP. 
     Furthermore, the regulating member  2  and the first rotating shaft  4  may be arranged such that the rotation trajectory of the protruding end of the regulating member  2  when the regulating member  2  rotates about the second rotating shaft is positioned above the maximum load line of the media S accommodated in the accommodating unit  151 . 
     Furthermore, the regulating member  2  and the second rotating shaft  5  may arranged such that the rotation trajectory of the protruding end of the regulating member  2  when the regulating member  2  rotates about the first rotating shaft  4  is positioned below the maximum load line of the media S accommodated in the accommodating unit  151 . 
     Further, as an example of the retraction position when the regulating member  2  rotates in the downward rotating direction (Md direction), it is possible to retract to a retraction position beyond the vertical direction passing through the first rotating shaft  4 . Therefore, when the media S are set in the accommodating unit  151 , the media S may be set in a state where the regulating member  2  is completely retracted. 
     Further, examples of the limiting unit  6  include a rotation stop portion that stops the rotation of the holding member with respect to the accommodating unit  151  when the regulating member  2  rotates in the upward rotating direction (Mu direction). 
     Further, examples of the restraining unit  7  include a damming portion (stopper portion) that dams the holding member  3  with respect to the accommodating unit  151  when the regulating member  2  rotates in the downward rotating direction (Md direction). 
     Furthermore, in the medium feeding device including the levitating unit  154 , the medium regulating component  1  may be provided in vicinity of the air blowing port  154   a  of the levitating unit  154  in the side portion of the accommodating unit  151 . 
     Further, in an example in which a long size option is provided, in order to accommodate long size media having a longer dimension in the delivery direction of the media S than a normal length dimension, the accommodating unit  151  may include a standard accommodating portion capable of accommodating normal size media, and an extending accommodating portion that is adjacent to the standard accommodating portion and extends, and the medium regulating component  1  may be provided in both the standard accommodating portion and the extending accommodating portion. 
     Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail based on the exemplary embodiments illustrated in accompanying drawings. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an overall configuration of a medium processing apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. 
     Overall Configuration of Medium Processing Apparatus 
     In  FIG.  2   , a medium processing apparatus  10  includes a medium feeding device  11  that feeds sheet media one by one and a processing unit  20  serving as the processing unit that performs predetermined processing on the media fed from the medium feeding device  11 . 
     In the example, the processing unit  20  includes an image forming unit  21  that forms an image on a medium, and the image forming unit  21 , for example, adopting various image forming methods such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet recording method is used. Then, in the processing unit  20 , a sending transport path  22  that sends the medium fed from the medium feeding device  11  into the image forming unit  21 , and a sending transport path  23  that sends out the medium on which an image is formed in the image forming unit  21  from the processing unit  20  are provided. Further, in the example, a built-in medium feeding unit  24  is separately provided below the image forming unit  21  in the processing unit  20 , and the medium from the medium feeding unit  24  is fed to the image forming unit  21  via a feeding transport path  25 . The reference numeral  26  indicates a sending roller  26  provided in the inlet of the sending transport path  22 , and an appropriate number of transport members are provided in the sending transport path  22 , the sending transport path  23 , and the feeding transport path  25 . 
     Overall Configuration of Medium Feeding Device 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the medium feeding device  11  includes a case  12  in which the media are accommodated. In the case  12 , an upper drawer  13  and a lower drawer  14  that are of a two-stage configuration drawer type are disposed in the case  12  so as to be pulled out. A manual sheet feeding unit  15  capable of manually feeding the media is disposed in the upper portion of the case  12 . Then, on the processing unit  20  side of the case  12 , a relay unit  16  is disposed. The relay unit  16  relays and sends out the medium fed from the upper drawer  13 , the lower drawer  14 , and the manual sheet feeding unit  15  to the processing unit  20  side. 
     In the example, both the upper drawer  13  and the lower drawer  14  have a configuration in which a large number of media are accommodated and are fed one by one. Further, the relay unit  16  includes a first sending path  17   a  that sends out the medium fed from the upper drawer  13 , a second sending path  17   b  that sends out the medium fed from the lower drawer  14 , and a third sending path  17   c  that sends out the medium fed from the manual sheet feeding unit  15 . The first to third sending paths  17   a  to  17   c  are provided with an appropriate number of transport rollers  18 , and a merging transport path  17   d  connected to a discharge port  17   e  to the processing unit  20  is formed on the outlet side of the first to third sending paths  17   a  to  17   c , and a discharge roller  19  is provided in the emerging transport path  17   d . The upper drawer  13  and the lower drawer  14  are provided with handles  13   a  and  14   a , respectively, and may be pulled out to the front side. 
     Example of Configuration of Upper Drawer (Lower Drawer) 
     In the example, the upper drawer  13  and the lower drawer  14  are configured substantially in the same manner, and the upper drawer  13  will be described below as an example. 
     In the example, for example, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the upper drawer  13  includes an accommodating portion  30  serving as the accommodating unit that accommodates sheet media, a delivery roller  40  serving as the delivery unit that is provided on a delivery direction side of the media accommodated in the accommodating portion  30  and delivers the media one by one, a vacuum head  50  serving as the transfer unit that is provided above the accommodating portion  30  and adsorbs a medium accommodated in the accommodating portion  30  to transfer to the delivery roller  40 , a levitating mechanism  70  serving as the levitating unit that is provided on a side intersecting the delivery direction of the media accommodated in the accommodating portion  30  and blows air to the side of the media to levitate the medium in a state where the upper area of the medium is separated, and an air processing mechanism  80  that is provided on the delivery direction side of the media accommodated in the accommodating portion  30 , and blows air between the upper medium levitated by the levitating mechanism  70  and the media positioned below the levitated medium to process the levitated medium. 
     Accommodating Portion 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the accommodating portion  30  includes a loading bottom plate  31  on which media of various sizes are loaded, side guides  32  (specifically,  32   a  and  32   b ) serving as a side guide unit that are provided on the side in the width direction intersecting the delivery direction of the media of various sizes loaded on the loading bottom plate  31 , and position and guide the side position of the media, an end guide  33  serving as a rear guide unit that is provided on the rear side opposite to the delivery direction of the media loaded on the loading bottom plate  31 , and positions and guides the rear position of the media, and a partition plate  34  that partitions the position on the delivery direction side of the media loaded on the loading bottom plate  31 . 
     In the example, the accommodating portion  30  may be designed according to the size of the medium to be used. Alternatively, from the viewpoint of versatility, a normal size medium may be mainly used. As the normal size medium referred to here, for example, a medium having a length of up to 488 mm in the longitudinal direction is used, and an example of the medium having such size includes a medium having JIS standard A3 size or smaller. 
     In the example, the side guides  32  are movable along the width direction of the loading bottom plate  31 , and are positioned at a predetermined positioning position. Further, the end guide  33  is movably provided along the delivery direction of the media on the loading bottom plate  31 , and is positioned at a predetermined positioning position. Further, in the example, the partition plate  34  is provided with plural (two in the example) stopper pieces  35  (see  FIG.  8   ) that protrude upward from the upper edge of the corresponding partition plate  34 , and the stopper piece  35  functions as a stopper wall  36  that dams the upper area of the medium group when the levitating mechanism  70  is not used. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the loading bottom plate  31  is supported to be movable up and down by an elevating mechanism  90  which will be described later (see  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B ). 
     Delivery Roller 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 ,  8 , and  11   , the delivery roller  40  includes a driving roller  41  including plural divided roller bodies  41   b  and  41   c  on a driving shaft  41   a  that is driven to rotate, and a follower roller  42  that is followed to rotate following the rotation of the driving roller  41 , and includes plural divided roller bodies  42   b  and  42   c  on a driving shaft  42   a . The medium is nipped in the contact portion NP (specifically, corresponding to the nip area between the divided roller bodies  41   b  and  42   b ,  41   c  and  42   c ) between the driving roller  41  and the follower roller  42  to be transported. 
     The case where the divided roller bodies  41   b  and  42   b  are collectively referred to is referred to as a “divided roller  43 ”, and the case where the divided roller bodies  41   c  and  42   c  are collectively referred to is referred to as a “divided roller  44 ”. 
     Vacuum Head 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  6 ,  7 , and  9 A , the vacuum head  50  is supported via a guide mechanism  58  (for example, guide rod is used) with respect to a head frame  60  that is fixed to the case  12  above the accommodating portion  30 , and is movable back and forth along the delivery direction of the media. 
     In the example, the vacuum head  50  includes a head body  51  having a hollow box shape, and plural vacuum holes  52  are opened on the surface of the head body  51  facing the media accommodated in the accommodating portion  30 , and a suction mechanism  53  is connected to the head body  51 . Here, the suction mechanism  53  in which a vacuum duct  55  connects a suction blower  54  and the head body  51 , a vacuum valve  56  that opens and closes the flow path is interposed in the middle of the vacuum duct  55 , and the vacuum valve  56  is opened/closed by a valve motor  57  is adopted. 
     Then, the head frame  60  is provided with a back-and-forth mechanism  61  that moves the vacuum head  50  back and forth. In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , in the back-and-forth mechanism  61 , a stepping motor  62  is fixed to the head frame  60 , a driving pulley  63  is connected to the stepping motor  62 , and, again, the head frame  60  is provided with an appropriate number of transmission pulleys  64  at appropriate locations, and a wire  65  is hung on the driving pulley  63  and the transmission pulleys  64 , and a part of the wire  65  is fixed to the vacuum head  50 . In the example, the driving pulley  63  rotates in association with the forward and reverse rotation of the stepping motor  62 , and, consequently, the wire  65  moves by a predetermined amount, and the vacuum head  50  is moved back and forth in the delivery direction of the media. 
     Levitating Mechanism 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 ,  5 , and  9 B , in the levitating mechanism  70 , for example, for example, the side guides  32  ( 32   a  and  32   b ) are formed in a hollow box shape, plural air blowing ports  71  are opened above the location of the side guides  32  facing the side of the media, an air duct  72  that communicates with an air blowing port  71  at one end is disposed in the hollow portion of the side guide  32 , and the other end of the air duct  72  is communicated with a blowing blower  73 . The blower  73  may be provided inside the side guide  32 , or may be provided by externally attaching to the side guide  32 . 
     Further, in the example, a medium regulating component  100  is provided near to the air blowing port  71  of the side guide  32 . A medium regulating component  100  in the example is provided in the side of the media loaded on the loading bottom plate  31 , and protrudes into the medium accommodating area to function to regulate the excessive floating of the medium that is levitated when the levitating mechanism  70  is used. 
     Air Processing Mechanism 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 ,  8 , and  9 C , the air processing mechanism  80  includes an air nozzle  81  that blows air in a knife shape from the lower side to the rear obliquely toward the end portion of the delivery direction side of the medium levitated by the levitating mechanism  70 , and the air blown from the air nozzle  81  is changed in direction by an air guide plate  82 , and air is blown between the upper medium levitated by the levitating mechanism  70  and the media positioned below the levitated medium to process the levitated medium. 
     Then, in the example, the air nozzle  81  is communicated with an air duct  83 , and an air blowing blower  84  is connected to the air duct  83 . Then, an opening/closing valve  85  that opens and closes the flow path is provided in the middle of the air duct  83 , and the opening/closing valve  85  is opened/closed by a valve motor  86 . 
     Elevating Mechanism 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  4 ,  10 A, and  10 B , the elevating mechanism  90  is provided with hanging portions  91  in the loading bottom plate  31  at four locations on both sides of the width direction intersecting the delivery direction of the media. The respective hanging portions  91  are provided with four wires  92  to  95  having terminals respectively divided and connected. The respective wires  92  to  95  are hung on one or plural guide pulleys  96 . After that, one end sides of the respective wires  92  to  95  are fixed to winding pulleys  97  ( 97   a  and  97   b  in the example) connected by a same shaft. The winding pulleys  97  are rotated by a driving motor  98  capable of rotating forward and reversely to move the respective wires  92  to  95  by a predetermined amount, so that the loading bottom plate  31  moves up and down while maintaining a parallel posture. The reference numeral  99  indicates a height sensor that sets the surface of the medium loaded in the loading bottom plate  31  to a predetermined height position. 
     Position Sensor 
     Further, in the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , with the delivery roller  40  being interposed, a front stage position sensor  120  is provided on the upstream side in the delivery direction of the media, and a rear stage position sensor  130  is provided on the downstream side in the delivery direction of the media. 
     Plural (two in the example, specifically  120   a  and  120   b ) front stage position sensors  120  are provided in the area before reaching the nip area NP of the delivery roller  40 , which is the delivery roller  40  side of the position of the end portion of the delivery direction side of the media accommodated in the accommodating portion  30 . 
     Then, the front stage position sensors  120  are provided at intervals in the width direction intersecting the delivery direction of the media, in other words, in the axial direction of the delivery roller  40 , and detect the position of the end portion of the delivery direction side of the medium. As a result, the front stage position sensor  120  is used as information for determining whether the medium is passed, and additionally, for determining the degree of skewed state of the medium. 
     Meanwhile, one rear stage position sensor  130  detects that the medium passes through the nip area NP of the delivery roller  40 , and is provided in the passing area of the medium. 
     In the front stage position sensor  120 , a light emitting element that emits light toward the delivered medium and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light from the medium are arranged side by side in the sensor case. It is possible to detect that the end portion of the delivery direction side of the medium passes through the front stage position sensor at the light receiving timing to the light receiving element. The rear stage position sensor  130  also includes substantially the same configuration as that of the front stage position sensor  120 . 
     Control System 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , a control device  200  that controls the medium feeding device  11  is provided. The control device  200  is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I/O port, and the like, and various information in association with job designation or the like, or signals from various sensors (for example, front stage position sensor  120  and rear stage position sensor  130 ) are stored in the CPU, and calculated in accordance with a program installed in advance in the ROM, and a predetermined control signal is sent out to each control target. 
     In the example, the control target may include, for example, the delivery roller  40 , the vacuum head  50  (suction mechanism  53  and back-and-forth mechanism  61 ), the levitating mechanism  70 , the air processing mechanism  80 , and the elevating mechanism  90 , and, additionally, the control device  200  is provided with a display  210  that displays the progress status of the medium feed job, an abnormality warning of the medium feed status, or the like. 
     Medium Regulating Component 
     Basic Behavior of Medium Regulating Component 
     In the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 ,  5 , and  11   , the medium regulating components  100  are provided at intervals at three locations on the inner side surface of the side guides  32  ( 32   a  and  32   b ) that position and guide the media S. 
     Particularly, in the example, the levitating mechanism  70  is provided, and the medium regulating component  100  is disposed in the vicinity of the air blowing port  71  of the levitating mechanism  70  in the delivery direction of the media. 
     In the example, the medium regulating component  100  includes a plate-shaped regulating arm  101  serving as a regulating member extending in the horizontal direction from the inner side surface of the side guides  32  ( 32   a  and  32   b ). 
     The regulating arm  101  implements three functions. 
     The first function is that the regulating arm  101  maintains a horizontal posture as the initial position HP, and is brought into contact with the side of the floating medium in the accommodating portion  30  to suppress excessive floating of the medium. 
     The second function is that, when the regulating arm  101  receives a pressing force upward from below in a gravitational direction, the regulating arm  101  rotates in the direction of arrow Mu in  FIG.  11   , and the protruding dimension with respect to the horizontal direction is reduced as compared with the case of being positioned in the initial position HP. As a result, for example, when the medium S accommodated in the accommodating portion  30  is temporarily removed, it is possible to temporarily retract the regulating arm  101  upward from the initial position HP. 
     The third function is that, when the regulating arm  101  receives a pressing force downward from above in the gravitational direction, the regulating arm  101  rotates in the direction of arrow Md in  FIG.  11   , and is disposed at the retraction position where the protruding dimension with respect to the horizontal direction is reduced as compared with the case of being positioned in the initial position HP. As a result, for example, when the medium is replenished and set in the accommodating portion  30 , it is possible to temporarily retract the regulating arm  101  downward from the initial position HP. 
     Example of Configuration of Medium Regulating Component 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  12  and  13   , the medium regulating component includes the regulating arm  101  described above, a holding arm  111  that is used to hold the regulating arm  101 , and is disposed to be substantially orthogonal to the regulating arm  101  and to extend in the vertical direction, a first rotating shaft  102  that rotatably supports the regulating arm  101  on the lower end side of the holding arm  111 , and a second rotating shaft  112  that rotatably supports the upper end side of the holding arm  111  with respect to the side guide  32 . 
     In the example, the first rotating shaft  102  is disposed substantially just below the second rotating shaft  112 . 
     Further, in the example, a first urging spring  103  serving as an urging unit is mounted around the first rotating shaft  102 , and the first urging spring  103  applies an urging force between the regulating arm  101  and the holding arm  111  so that the regulating arm  101  and the holding arm  111  maintain an angular relationship of approximately 90°. When the regulating arm  101  rotates in a direction approaching the holding arm  111  about the first rotating shaft  102 , the first urging spring  103  urges the regulating arm  101  to return to the initial position HP with respect to the holding arm  111 . 
     Further, a second urging spring  113  serving as an urging unit is mounted around the second rotating shaft  112 , and the second urging spring  113  applies an urging force between the side guide  32  and the holding arm  111  so that the holding arm  111  maintains the substantially vertical position with respect to the side guide  32 . When the holding arm  101  rotates in the counter-clockwise direction from the vertical posture, the second urging spring  113  urges the holding arm  111  to return to the vertical position. 
     Restraining Mechanism 
     Further, in the example, a restraining mechanism  150  serving as the restraining unit is provided around the first rotating shaft  102  of the regulating arm  101  and the holding arm  111 . In the example, the restraining mechanism  150  includes a damming projection  151  that is formed in the vicinity of the first rotating shaft  102  of the regulating arm  101  to protrude in the radial direction of the first rotating shaft  102 , and a damming receiving portion  152  that is provided in the vicinity of the first rotating shaft  102  of the holding arm  111  and abuts onto the damming projection  151  when the regulating arm  101  is positioned at the initial position HP. 
     That is, in the restraining mechanism  150 , when the regulating arm  101  is positioned in the initial position HP, the damming projection  151  on the regulating arm  101  side abuts onto the damming receiving portion  152  on the holding arm  111  side, and thus, the regulating arm  101  tries to rotate in the downward rotating direction (Md direction), the holding arm  111  and the regulating arm  101  rotate integrally about the second rotating shaft  112  while maintaining the restrained state by the restraining mechanism  150 . 
     Rotation Stop Mechanism 
     Further, in the example, a rotation stop mechanism  160  serving as the limiting unit that limits the rotational movement of the holding arm  111  rotating from the vertical posture in the counter-clockwise direction is provided about the second rotating shaft  112 . 
     In the rotation stop mechanism  160  in the example, a rotation stop projection  161  is formed around the second rotating shaft  112  of the holding arm  111  to be projected in the radial direction of the second rotating shaft  112 , and a plate-shaped rotation stop receiver  162  onto which the rotation stop projection  161  abuts is provided on the side guide  32  side. 
     According to the example, even though an external force from the vertical posture toward the counter-clockwise direction acts on the holding arm  111 , the rotational operation of the holding arm  111  in the counter-clockwise direction is limited by the rotation stop mechanism  160 . 
     Stopper Mechanism 
     Further, in the exemplary embodiment, when the holding arm  111  rotates in the clockwise direction about the second rotating shaft  112 , a stopper mechanism  170  that stops the rotational operation at a predetermined position is provided. 
     In the stopper mechanism  170 , a stopper projection  171  that protrudes in the direction intersecting a line connecting the stop of the first rotating shaft  102  and the second rotating shaft  112  is provided at a location on the side of the holding arm  111  opposite to the regulating arm  101 , and a plate-shaped stopper receiver  172  onto which the stopper projection  171  abuts is provided on the side guide  32  side. In the example, the stopper receiver  172  is implemented by the same member as the rotation stop receiver  162 , but, of course, may be implemented by a separate member. 
     According to the example, the holding arm  111  rotates in the clockwise rotating direction from the vertical posture, but the rotation of the holding arm  111  in the clockwise rotating direction is stopped by the stopper mechanism  170  in a stage of reaching a predetermined position. 
     Operation of Medium Regulating Component 
     (1) Initial Position of Regulating Arm 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1 A to  1 C , the regulating arm  101  is disposed in the predetermined initial position HP when a pressing force from above or below in the gravitational direction is not applied. 
     The initial position HP of the regulating arm  101  protrudes in the horizontal direction, and is set to a predetermined position by maintaining the holding arm  111  in the vertical posture by the second urging spring  113  and the rotation stop mechanism  160 , and, additionally, maintaining the regulating arm  101  in the angular relationship of approximately 90° with respect to the holding arm  111  by the first urging spring  103  and the restraining mechanism  150 , and in the protruding state. 
     In the example, even when the medium in the accommodating portion  30  is levitated by the levitating mechanism  70 , the side of the medium is brought in contact with the regulating arm  101  positioned at the initial position HP, and thus the side portion of the medium does not float excessively. 
     (2) Upward Rotational Movement of Regulating Arm 
     When the regulating arm  101  receives a pressing force upward from below in the gravitational direction, a rotational moment acts on the regulating arm  101  in the counter-clockwise direction about the first rotating shaft  102 , and, due to the rotational moment, a rotational moment acts on the holding arm  111  in the counter-clockwise direction about the second rotating shaft  112 . However, since the holding arm  111  is not able to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction by the rotation stop mechanism  160 , the regulating arm  101  rotates in the Mu direction about the first rotating shaft  102 . 
     When the regulating arm  101  does not receive the pressing force from below in the gravitational direction, the regulating arm  101  returns to the initial position HP by the urging force of the first urging spring  103 . 
     (3) Downward Rotational Movement of Regulating Arm 
     When the regulating arm  101  receives a pressing force downward from above in the gravitational direction, as illustrated in  FIG.  15   , a rotational moment acts on the regulating arm  101  in the clockwise rotating direction about the first rotating shaft  102 , and, due to the rotational moment, a rotational moment acts on the holding arm  111  in the clockwise rotating direction about the second rotating shaft  112 . 
     In this case, since the regulating arm  101  and the holding arm  111  are restrained with each other by the restraining mechanism  150 , the regulating arm  101  rotates in the clockwise rotating direction about the second rotating shaft  112  in a state of being restrained by the holding arm  111 . As a result, the regulating arm  101  rotates downward in the direction of the arrow Md. 
     Then, since the holding arm  111  rotates together with the regulating arm  101 , and the rotation of the holding arm  111  is stopped at the timing when the stopper mechanism  170  is operated, the regulating arm  101  is retracted to a predetermined retraction position. 
     In the example, the retraction position of the regulating arm  101  is set to the inner side of the side guide  32  from the vertical line connecting the center of the first rotating shaft  102  and the center of the second rotating shaft  112 , and thus, the regulating arm  101  is maintained in the completely retracted state from the medium accommodating area. As a result, during the medium set operation into the accommodating portion  30 , the presence of the regulating arm  101  may not be an obstacle. 
     A cut-out opening  115  (see  FIGS.  11  and  12   ) is provided in the side guide  32  so that the regulating arm  101  is movable to the retraction position. 
     Example of Layout of Medium Regulating Component 
     In the example, the second rotating shaft  112  is disposed above the first rotating shaft  102 , and, additionally, the first rotating shaft  102  is disposed substantially just below the second rotating shaft  112 . 
     Then, in the example, a tip end trajectory m 1  when the regulating arm  101  rotates about the second rotating shaft  112  is set to be positioned above the maximum load capacity Lmax of the media accommodated in the accommodating portion  30 , and thus, even when the regulating arm  101  rotates in the downward rotating direction, the regulating arm  101  does not interfere with the media in the accommodating portion  30 . 
     Meanwhile, a lantern trajectory m 2  when the regulating arm  101  rotates about the first rotating shaft  102  is set to be positioned below the maximum load capacity Lmax of the media accommodated in the accommodating portion  30 , and thus, a gap between the initial position HP of the regulating arm  101  and the maximum load capacity Lmax of the media may not be large unnecessarily, and the excessive floating of the medium works effectively by the regulating arm  101 . 
     In the example, the second rotating shaft  112  is set above the first rotating shaft  102 . However, in an example in which the second rotating shaft  112  is set below the first rotating shaft  102 , interference between regulating arm  102  and the maximum load capacity Lmax of the media accommodated in the accommodating portion  30  may occur. 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG.  17    illustrates a main part of a medium feeding device  11  according to a second exemplary embodiment. 
     In the drawing, the basic configuration of the medium feeding device  11  is substantially the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, but, unlike the first exemplary embodiment, in addition to the normal size medium, it is possible to use a long size medium having a length in the longitudinal direction longer than that of the normal size. The same configurations as those in the first exemplary embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the second exemplary embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. 
     In the example, the medium feeding device  11  includes a body portion  300  (having substantially the same configuration as the medium feeding device of the first exemplary embodiment) on which normal size media are loaded and that feeds the normal size medium, and a long size option  400  is added to the body portion  300  to be able to stack and feed a long size medium. 
     In the example, the body portion  300  has substantially the same configuration as the medium feeding device  11  illustrated in the first exemplary embodiment. However, unlike the exemplary embodiment, the side wall positioned on the side opposite to the relay unit  16  of the case  12  is configured so that an opening to which the long size option  400  may be connected may be secured, and, additionally, an opening/closing cover  301  is provided in the location in the upper portion of the case  12  adjacent to the manual sheet feeding unit  15  so as to be openable/closable with the manual sheet feeding unit  15  side as a rotation fulcrum, and the opening/closing cover  301  is opened by operating a handle  302  provided in the opening/closing cover  301  to secure a working space when a long size medium is set. 
     In the example, as illustrated in  FIGS.  17  to  19   , the long size option  400  includes an additional device  401  connected to an opening in the side wall on the side opposite to the relay unit  16  of the body portion  300 , and a changing device  420  that partially change the configuration of the body portion  300  side. 
     In the example, in the changing device  420 , a raising table  421  serving as a raising portion that raises the height is provided in the loading bottom plate  31  that constitutes a part of the accommodating portion  30  of the upper drawer  13  in the body portion  300 , and the surface portion of the raising table  421  serves as a dedicated loading portion  422 . 
     Further, in the additional device  401 , an additional loading portion  403  is provided in an external attaching case  402  at a location adjacent to the side opposite to the delivery roller  40  of the dedicated loading portion  422 , and the loading surface of the dedicated loading portion  422  and the loading surface of the additional loading portion  403  form substantially a surface to function as a long size loading portion  410  on which a long size medium may be loaded. Particularly, in the example, although the configuration in which the loading surface for the long size medium is raised higher than the loading surface of the normal size medium using the raising table  421  is adopted, it is intended to reduce the weight of the long size medium loaded on the long size loading portion  410  to reduce the load on the elevating mechanism  90 . 
     Further, in the example, in addition to the configuration in which the loading bottom plate  31  is moved up and down in the first exemplary embodiment, the elevating mechanism  90  is provided with plural hanging portions  405 , plural wires  406 , and plural guide pulleys  407  that move the additional loading portion  403  up and down, and the additional loading portion  403  is hung on and supported by the plural wires  406 , and, again, the plural wires  406  are hung on the guide pulley  96  that is the existing component of the elevating mechanism  90  on the body portion  300  side, one end side of each of the wire  406  is fixed to the winding pulley  97  that is the existing component, and the driving motor  98  that is the existing component is rotated, and thus, the additional loading portion  403  and the dedicated loading portion  422  are moved up and down at the same timing. 
     Further, in the external attaching case  402  of the additional device  401 , additional side guides  432  (specifically  432   a  and  432   b ) that position and guide the both sides in the width direction intersecting the delivery direction of the long size medium are provided about the additional loading portion  403 , and the existing end guide  33  is also used for the additional loading portion  403 , and, again, the additional side guides  432  are provided with an additional levitating mechanism  440 , and, additionally, an additional medium regulating component  450  that prevents the excessive floating of the side edge portion when the long size medium is levitated is provided. In  FIG.  19   , the reference numeral  441  indicates an air blowing port of the additional levitating mechanism  440 , and the additional medium regulating component  450  is provided in the vicinity of the air blowing port  441 . 
     As described above, in the medium feeding device  11  using the long size option  400 , long size media are accommodated in the long size loading portion  410 , and the surface of the long size media is disposed at the predetermined position by the elevating mechanism  90 , and is waiting for a medium feeding instruction in this state. 
     Then, when the medium feeding instruction is issued, the levitating mechanism  70  and the additional levitating mechanism  440  are operated to implement the medium feeding operation in which the long size medium is levitated, the upper surface portion of the long size medium levitated by the vacuum head  50  on the delivery direction side is adsorbed and transported to the delivery roller  40 , and then, the end portion of the delivery direction side of the long size medium is processed by the air processing mechanism  80  to transfer to the delivery roller  40 . 
     At this time, although it is seen that the long size medium tends to be skewed more easily than the normal size medium, in the example, it is extremely effective in that it is possible to detect the state of the end portion of the delivery direction side of the long size medium and to easily determine whether the feeding state of the long size medium is in an allowable range or an abnormal range. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.