Patent Publication Number: US-9432535-B2

Title: Image reading apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/664,476, filed Mar. 20, 2015, and further claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-071993 filed on Mar. 31, 2014, the entire subject matter of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to an image reading apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally, there is known an image reading apparatus including a conveyor, a first reading unit, a second reading unit, a first pressing member and a second pressing member. 
     The conveyor is configured to convey a sheet in a conveying direction along a conveyance path. The first reading unit is configured to read an image of a first surface of the sheet being conveyed by the conveyor, through a first reading surface along the conveyance path. The second reading unit is provided at a position downstream with respect to the first reading unit in the conveying direction. The second reading unit is configured to read an image of a second surface opposite to the first surface of the sheet being conveyed by the conveyor, through a second reading surface along the conveyance path. 
     The first pressing member is configured to face the first reading surface. The first pressing member is configured to form a conveyance path between the first pressing member and the first reading surface and to urge the sheet passing through the conveyance path towards the first reading surface. The second pressing member is configured to face the second reading surface. The second pressing member is configured to form a conveyance path between the second pressing member and the second reading surface and to urge the sheet passing through the conveyance path towards the second reading surface. 
     In the background image reading apparatus, the first pressing member and second pressing member made of metal are generally used. In this case, when the sheet being conveyed by the conveyor is contacted to the first pressing member and second pressing member made of metal, the sheet is easy to be neutralized. 
     On the other hand, in the background image reading apparatus of the related art, dusts such as paper dusts may be attached to the first reading surface or second reading surface. In this case, reading qualities of images by the first reading unit and the second reading unit are deteriorated. Therefore, the image reading apparatus is required to suppress the deterioration of the image reading qualities of the first reading unit and the second reading unit. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration of image reading qualities of a first reading unit and a second reading unit, which is caused due to dusts such as paper dusts, while suppressing a discharge failure of a sheet caused due to static electricity. 
     An image reading apparatus of this disclosure includes: a conveyor configured to convey a sheet in a conveying direction along a conveyance path; a first reading unit configured to read an image of a first surface of the sheet conveyed by the conveyor, through a first reading surface along the conveyance path; a second reading unit configured to read an image of a second surface opposite to the first surface of the sheet conveyed by the conveyor, through a second reading surface along the conveyance path, the second reading surface being provided at a position downstream from the first reading surface in the conveying direction; a first pressing member, which is made of a resin, is configured to face the first reading surface and to form the conveyance path between the first pressing member and the first reading surface and to urge the sheet passing through the conveyance path towards the first reading surface; and a second pressing member, which is made of metal, is configured to face the second reading surface and to form the conveyance path between the second pressing member and the second reading surface and to urge the sheet passing through the conveyance path towards the second reading surface. 
     According to the image reading apparatus, it is possible to suppress deterioration of image reading qualities of the first and second reading units, which is caused due to the dusts such as paper dusts, while suppressing a discharge failure of the sheet caused due to static electricity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed descriptions considered with the reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus according to a first illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial front view of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment, which illustrates an opening/closing unit located at an opened position, and the like; 
         FIG. 4  is a pictorial partial sectional view of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a pictorial partial sectional view of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial enlarged perspective view of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment, which illustrates a periphery of a guide part and a first pressing member at a main body unit shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial enlarged perspective view of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment, which illustrates a periphery of a first reading unit at the opening/closing unit shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment, which illustrates a relative relation between a lower curved surface, which defines a curved path from below at the opening/closing unit, and the first pressing member; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the first pressing member of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged sectional view of main parts of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment, which illustrates the first pressing member and the like; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the image reading apparatus of the first illustrative embodiment, which illustrates a state where the first pressing member is omitted from  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of a first pressing member of an image reading apparatus according to a second illustrative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged sectional view of main parts of the image reading apparatus of the second illustrative embodiment, which illustrates the first pressing member and the like. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, first and second illustrative embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     First Illustrative Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an image reading apparatus  1  of a first illustrative embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the image reading apparatus of this disclosure. In  FIG. 1 , a side at which an operation panel  8 P is defined as a front side and a left side on the basis of the operation panel  8 P is defined as a left side, so that respective directions of front, rear, left, right, upper and lower are indicated. The respective directions denoted in  FIG. 2  and thereafter are indicated in correspondence to the respective directions denoted in  FIG. 1 . Hereinafter, the respective constitutional elements of the image reading apparatus  1  will be described on the basis of  FIG. 1  and the like. 
     &lt;Configurations&gt; 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the image reading apparatus  1  includes a main body unit  8 , an opening/closing unit  9 , an image forming unit  5 , a reading unit  3  and a conveyor  4 . The main body unit  8  is a substantially flat box-shaped member. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a front surface of the main body unit  8  is provided with the operation panel  8 P such as a touch panel. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reading unit  3  is positioned at an upper part in the main body unit  8 . The image forming unit  5  is accommodated at a lower part in the main body unit  8 . The image forming unit  5  is configured to form an image on a sheet by an inkjet or laser scheme. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 6 , the reading unit  3  has a first platen glass  81 , a second platen glass  82  and a frame member  8 W. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first platen glass  81  and the second platen glass  82  are arranged on an upper surface of the reading unit  3 . The frame member  8 W is configured to surround peripheral edges of the first platen glass  81  and second platen glass  82 . 
     An upper surface of the first platen glass  81  configures a document support surface  81 A. The document support surface  81 A supports a stationary document from below when the reading unit  3  reads an image of the document. The document to be read includes a sheet such as an OHP sheet, a book and the like. 
     The second platen glass  82  is positioned at the left of the first platen glass  81  and is elongated in the front-rear direction. An upper surface of the second platen glass  82  configures a reading surface  82 A. The reading surface  82 A guides a sheet SH being conveyed from below when the reading unit  3  reads an image of the sheet SH being conveyed one by one by the conveyor  4 . The reading surface  82 A is an example of the ‘second reading surface’ of this disclosure. 
     The frame member  8 W is a resin-molded product manufactured by an injection molding of a thermoplastic resin, and the like. A part of the frame member  8 W positioned at the left of the second platen glass  82  is provided with a guide part  160 , which will be described later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the opening/closing unit  9  is supported to be rotatable around an opening/closing shaft center X 9  extending in the left-right direction by hinges (not shown) arranged at a rear-side upper portion of the main body unit  8 . The opening/closing unit  9  is movable between an open position and a closed position. At the closed position shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 , the opening/closing unit  9  is configured to cover the document support surface  81 A from above. The opening/closing unit  9  is rotated around the opening/closing shaft center X 9  so that a front end portion-side thereof is displaced upward and rearward. Thereby, the opening/closing unit  9  is displaced to the opened position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 . At the opened position, the opening/closing unit  9  is configured to expose the document support surface  81 A. Thereby, a user can make the document support surface  81 A support a document which is a read target. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the reading unit  3  includes a reading sensor  3 B and a scanning mechanism (not shown), which are accommodated at an upper part in the main body unit  8 , and a reading sensor  3 A, which is accommodated in the opening/closing unit  9 . 
     The reading sensor  3 A is an example of the ‘first reading unit’ of this disclosure. The reading sensor  3 B is an example of the ‘second reading unit’ of this disclosure. As the reading sensors  3 A,  3 B, well-known image reading sensors such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) are used. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the reading sensor  3 B extends in the front-rear direction and is provided on its upper surface with a plurality of light receiving devices (not shown) in a line. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the reading sensor  3 B is located below the document support surface  81 A and the reading surface  82 A movably. The scanning mechanism (not shown) reciprocally moves the reading sensor  3 B in the left-right direction below the document support surface  81 A in the main body unit  8  when reading an image of a document supported on the document support surface  81 A. Also, the scanning mechanism (not shown) stops the reading sensor  3 B at a predetermined reading position below the reading surface  82 A in the main body unit  8  when the reading sensor  3 B reads an image of the sheet SH being conveyed by the conveyor  4 . 
     As described later, the reading sensor  3 A is arranged on a conveyance path P 1  in the opening/closing unit  9 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the reading sensor  3 A is configured to face the conveyance path P 1  with a third platen glass  83  being interposed therebetween. Similarly to the reading sensor  3 B, the reading sensor  3 A extends in the front-rear direction. When the image of the sheet SH being conveyed by the conveyor  4  is read by the reading sensor  3 A, a reading surface  83 A of the third platen glass  83  guides the sheet SH from above. The reading surface  83 A is an example of the ‘first reading surface’ of this disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 , the conveyor  4  is provided in the opening/closing unit  9 . The conveyor  4  includes a feeder tray  91  and a discharge tray  92 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the feeder tray  91  is formed at a right part of the opening/closing unit  9  by opening a cover  9 C openably and closably supported on an upper surface of the opening/closing unit  9 . The discharge tray  92  is located below the feeder tray  91 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the feeder tray  91  is configured to support the sheet SH, which is being conveyed by the conveyor  4  and is a reading target, from below. A lower surface of the sheet SH supported on the feeder tray  91  is referred to as a first surface SH 1 . An upper surface of the sheet SH supported on the feeder tray  91 , i.e., an opposite surface to the first surface SH 1  is referred to as a second surface SH 2 . The sheet SH of which images have been read by the reading sensors  3 A,  3 B and conveyed by the conveyor  4  is discharged to the discharge tray  92 . When the sheet SH is discharged to the discharge tray  92 , the first surface SH 1  faces upwardly and the second surface SH 2  faces downwardly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the conveyor  4  includes a first chute member  110 , a second chute member  120 , a first cover member  130 , a second cover member  140 , a first pressing member  101  and a second pressing member  102 . The conveyor  4  is configured by the first chute member  110 , the second chute member  120 , the first cover member  130  and the second cover member  140 . Specifically, a space surrounded by a plurality of guide surfaces provided for the respective members and extending to be able to abut on the first surface SH 1  or second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH in the opening/closing unit  9 , a plurality of rollers (which will be described later), the first pressing member  101 , the second pressing member  102  and the like defines the conveyance path P 1  shown in  FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 . The conveyance path P 1  includes an upper path PA 1 , a lower path PB 1  and a curved path PC 1 . 
     The upper path PA 1  extends from the feeder tray  91  toward a left end portion of the opening/closing unit  9 . The upper path PA 1  is inclined downwardly at a part thereof continuing to the feeder tray  91  and is then inclined upwardly from a position between a supply roller  41  and a separation roller  42 . 
     The lower path PB 1  is positioned below the upper path PA 1 . The lower path PB 1  extends from the left end portion of the opening/closing unit  9  toward the discharge tray  92 . The lower path PB 1  is inclined downwardly to come close to the reading surface  82 A from the left end portion of the opening/closing unit  9 , extends rightward with being substantially horizontal along the reading surface  82 A and is then inclined upwardly towards the discharge tray  92 . 
     The curved path PC 1  is curved with bulging leftward and connects a left end of the upper path PA 1  with a left end of the lower path PB 1 . 
     The lower path PB 1  includes a first inclined part PB 11  and a second inclined part PB 12  with a reference part PB 10  extending rightward with being substantially horizontal along the reading surface  82 A, i.e., a predetermined part positioned below the curved path PC 1 . 
     The first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1  is a part inclined downwardly to come close to the reading surface  82 A from the left end portion of the opening/closing unit  9 , i.e., a part inclined downwardly from the curved path PC 1  towards the reference part PB 10 . 
     The second inclined part PB 12  of the lower path PB 1  is a part inclined upwardly from the reading surface  82 A towards the discharge tray  92 , i.e., a part inclined upwardly from the reference part PB 10  towards an opposite side to the curved path PC 1 . 
     The conveyor  4  is configured to convey the sheet SH from the upper path PA 1  to the lower path PB 1  via the curved path PC 1  on the conveyance path P 1 . A conveying direction of the sheet SH on the conveyance path P 1  is a leftward direction on the upper path PA 1 , is changed from the leftward direction to a rightward direction on the curved path PC 1  and is a rightward direction on the lower path PB 1 . On the conveyance path P 1 , a right end of the upper path PA 1  is an upstream side in the conveying direction, and a right end of the lower path PB 1  is a downstream side in the conveying direction. 
     Configurations of the first chute member  110 , the second chute member  120 , the first cover member  130  and the second cover member  140  defining the conveyance path P 1  are described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each of the first chute member  110 , the second chute member  120 , the first cover member  130  and the second cover member  140  is a resin-molded product manufactured by an injection molding of a thermoplastic resin, for example. 
     The first chute member  110  extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. A right part of an upper surface of the first chute member  110  is connected to a left end edge of an upper surface of the opened cover  9 C and is inclined leftward and downward, and a left part of the upper surface of the first chute member  110  is inclined leftward and upward to the left end portion of the opening/closing unit  9 . The first chute member  110  forms a first guide surface  111  defining the upper path PA 1  by the upper surface thereof. The first guide surface  111  extends to be able to abut on the first surface SH 1  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the upper path PA 1  and guides the sheet SH from below on the upper path PA 1 . 
     A left end portion of the first chute member  110  is formed with an upper curved surface  116  curved to form an arc, a direction of which is changing from the leftward direction to the downward direction. The upper curved surface  116  defines an upper part of the curved path PC 1 . The upper curved surface  116  extends to be able to abut on the first surface SH 1  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the upper part of the curved path PC 1  and guides the sheet SH from below and right on the upper part of the curved path PC 1 . 
     The second chute member  120  extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The second chute member  120  is mounted to the first chute member  110  from below. A left end portion of the second chute member  120  is formed with a lower curved surface  126  curved to form an arc, a direction of which is changing from the downward direction to the rightward direction. The lower curved surface  126  defines a lower part of the curved path PC 1 . The lower curved surface  126  extends to be able to abut on the first surface SH 1  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the lower part of the curved path PC 1  and guides the sheet SH from right and above on the lower part of the curved path PC 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 , a lower surface of the second chute member  120  connects to the lower curved surface  126  and is inclined rightward and downward. The second chute member  120  is configured to form a second guide surface  122  defining the first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1  by the lower surface thereof. The second guide surface  122  extends to be able to abut on the first surface SH 1  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the first inclined part PB 11  and guides the sheet SH from above on the first inclined part PB 11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second chute member  120  has a reading sensor holding part  129 . The reading sensor holding part  129  is recessed upward and rightward from the second guide surface  122 , i.e., towards the upper path PA 1 . The reading sensor holding part  129  is configured to hold therein the reading sensor  3 A. The reading sensor holding part  129  is blocked by the third platen glass  83 . 
     The reading surface  83 A of the third platen glass  83  is inclined rightward and downward along the first inclined part PB 11 . The reading surface  83 A defines the first inclined part PB 11  from above, together with the second guide surface  122 . The reading sensor  3 A is located above the lower path PB 1 . A reading surface  3 AA of the reading sensor  3 A is parallel with the reading surface  83 A of the third platen glass  83 , i.e., is arranged obliquely downward along the first inclined part PB 11 . 
     The reading surface  3 AA of the reading sensor  3 A is configured to face the first inclined part PB 11  with the reading surface  83 A of the third platen glass  83  being interposed therebetween. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a part of the second guide surface  122  positioned at a downstream side with respect to the reading surface  83 A of the third platen glass  83  in the conveying direction is configured by lower end edges of a plurality of ribs  122 R. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 , the second pressing member  102  is held on the lower surface of the second chute member  120 . The second pressing member  102  is located at a position adjacent to the right of the second guide surface  122  and is configured to face the reading surface  82 A from above. 
     The second pressing member  102  is made of metal. As the metal material configuring the second pressing member  102 , the general metal such as iron, aluminum, copper and the like may be used. In this illustrative embodiment, the second pressing member  102  is made by performing punching processing, bending processing and the like for a stainless thin plate. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second pressing member  102  is grounded via an earth wiring  102 W. 
     The second pressing member  102  extends in the front-rear direction. The second pressing member  102  has a flat surface  102 F and an inclined surface  102 G. The flat surface  102 F is configured to face the reading surface  82 A from above. The inclined surface  102 G connects to an upstream end edge  102 E of the flat surface  102 F in the conveying direction. The inclined surface  102 G is inclined so that it is more separated upwardly from the conveyance path P 1  as it proceeds leftward, i.e., upstream in the conveying direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a compression coil spring  102 S is arranged between the second chute member  120  and the second pressing member  102 . The compression coil spring  102 S is configured to urge the second pressing member  102  towards the reading surface  82 A. 
     The flat surface  102 F and the inclined surface  102 G of the second pressing member  102  define the reference part PB 10  of the lower path PB 1  from above. The flat surface  102 F and the inclined surface  102 G of the second pressing member  102  extend to be able to abut on the first surface SH 1  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the reference part PB 10  and are configured to guide the sheet SH on the reference part PB 10  with urging the sheet SH from above towards the reading surface  82 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 , the lower surface of the second chute member  120  is inclined rightward and upward from a position adjacent to the right of the flat surface  102 F of the second pressing member  102 . The second chute member  120  is configured to form a third guide surface  123  defining the second inclined part PB 12  of the lower path PB 1  by the lower surface thereof. The third guide surface  123  extends to be able to abut on the first surface SH 1  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the second inclined part PB 12  and guides the sheet SH from above on the second inclined part PB 12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first cover member  130  is mounted to the first chute member  110  from above. The first cover member  130  extends in the front-rear and left-right directions, thereby covering the first chute member  110 . 
     A lower surface of the first cover member  130  is formed with a plurality of ribs  130 R. Although not shown, the respective ribs  130 R are arranged with having an interval in the front-rear direction and extend in the left-right direction. A lower end edge of each rib  130 R extends in the left-right direction along the first guide surface  111  with having a gap from the first guide surface  111  of the first chute member  110 . The lower end edge of each rib  130 R is curved to form an arc, a direction of which is changing from the leftward direction to the downward direction, with having a gap from the upper curved surface  116  of the first chute member  110 . 
     The first cover member  130  is configured to form fourth guide surfaces  134  by the lower end edges of the respective ribs  130 R. The fourth guide surfaces  134  define the upper parts of the upper path PA 1  and curved path PC 1 . The fourth guide surfaces  134  extend to be able to abut on the second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the upper parts of the upper path PA 1  and curved path PC 1  and guide the sheet SH from above and left on the upper parts of the upper path PA 1  and curved path PC 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7 , the second cover member  140  is mounted to the first chute member  110  and second chute member  120  from below. The second cover member  140  extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lower surface of the opening/closing unit  9  is formed by the lower surface of the second cover member  140 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , an upper surface of a right part of the second cover member  140  is configured as the discharge tray  92 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5, 7 and 8 , a left part of the second cover member  140  is formed with a rectangular opening  140 H elongated in the front-rear direction and penetrated therethrough.  FIG. 8  illustrates only the second cover member  140  of the opening/closing unit  9  located at the closed position, so that a relative positional relation between the opening  140 H and the like of the second cover member  140  and the frame member  8 W and the like of the main body unit  8  is shown. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 8 , the opening  140 H is positioned just above the reading surface  82 A and enables the reading surface  82 A and the second pressing member  102  to face each other at the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the closed position. Thereby, the reading surface  82 A defines the reference part PB 10  of the lower path PB 1  from below. The reading surface  82 A extends to be able to abut on the second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the reference part PB 10  and guides the sheet SH from below on the reference part PB 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the opening  140 H is configured to expose the second guide surface  122  of the second chute member  120 , the reading surface  83 A of the third platen glass  83  and the second pressing member  102  at the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the opened position. That is, the first inclined part PB 11  and the reference part PB 10  are opened by the opening  140 H at the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the opened position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 8 , a part of the second cover member  140  positioned at the left of the opening  140 H is formed with a fifth guide surface  145 A. The fifth guide surface  145 A is curved to form an arc, a direction of which is changing from the downward direction to the rightward direction, and reaches the opening  140 H, with having a gap from the lower curved surface  126  of the second chute member  120 . 
     The fifth guide surface  145 A defines the lower part of the curved path PC 1 . The fifth guide surface  145 A extends to be able to abut on the second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the lower part of the curved path PC 1  and guides the sheet SH from left and below on the lower part of the curved path PC 1  and the first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a part of the second cover member  140  positioned at the right of the opening  140 H is formed with a fifth guide surface  145 B. The fifth guide surface  145 B reaches the discharge tray  92  with being inclined rightward and upward with having a gap from the third guide surface  123  of the second chute member  120 . 
     The fifth guide surface  145 B defines the second inclined part PB 12  of the lower path PB 1  from below. The fifth guide surface  145 B extends to be able to abut on the second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH being conveyed along the second inclined part PB 12  of the lower path PB 1  and guides the sheet SH from below on the second inclined part PB 12  of the lower path PB 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 6 and 8 to 11 , the frame member  8 W of the main body unit  8  is provided with the guide part  160  and the first pressing member  101 . The first pressing member  101  extends in the front-rear direction. The front-rear direction in which the first pressing member  101  extends is an example of the ‘longitudinal direction of the first pressing member’ of this disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 , for example, the guide part  160  is formed integrally with the frame member  8 W made of resin so that it protrudes upwardly from a part of the frame member  8 W positioned at the left of the second platen glass  82  beyond the document support surface  81 A and reading surface  82 A of the main body unit  8 . 
     More specifically, the guide part  160  has a plurality of ribs  169 . The respective ribs  169  are arranged with having an interval in the front-rear direction at a part of the frame member  8 W positioned at the left of the second platen glass  82 . Each rib  169  protrudes upwardly and extends in the left-right direction. An upper end edge  169 D of each rib  169  is highest at a left end thereof and is inclined rightward and downward so that a right end thereof reaches the reading surface  82 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , at the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the closed position, the respective ribs  169  of the guide part  160  pass through the opening  140 H, and then the upper end edges  169 D of the respective ribs  169  face the second guide surface  122  of the second chute member  120  from below. The guide part  160  is configured to form sixth guide surfaces  166  configured to guide the sheet SH by the upper end edges  169 D of the respective ribs  169 . The sixth guide surface  166  is an example of the ‘guide surface’ of this disclosure. 
     The sixth guide surfaces  166  reach the reading surface  82 A with being inclined rightward and downward with having a gap from the second guide surface  122  of the second chute member  120 . Also, the sixth guide surfaces  166  extend in the front-rear direction with being intermittent between the respective ribs  169 . 
     At the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the closed position, the sixth guide surfaces  166  define the first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1  from below. The sixth guide surfaces  166  extend to be able to abut on the second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH passing through the first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1  from below and guide the sheet SH from below on the first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1 . At the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the closed position, the reading sensor  3 A faces the sixth guide surfaces  166  from above. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11 , an inner wall surface  170 E is formed by an end edge inclined leftward and downward from a left end portion of the upper end edge  169 D of each rib  169 . The inner wall surfaces  170 E extend in the front-rear direction with being intermittent between the respective ribs  169 . 
     The guide part  160  is formed with an accommodation part  170 . The accommodation part  170  is a space defined at the left of the inner wall surfaces  170 E and is recessed downwardly from the sixth guide surfaces  166 . At the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the closed position, the accommodation part  170  forms an empty space at the lower-left side of the reading surface  83 A of the third platen glass  83 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 11 , the accommodation part  170  is provided with a pair of front and rear holding parts  180 ,  180 . As shown in  FIGS. 5, 10 and 11 , the accommodation part  170  is provided with a spring holding part  189 . The respective holding parts  180 ,  180  and the spring holding part  189  are also formed integrally with the frame member  8 W. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the respective holding parts  180 ,  180  protrude upwardly from a front end-side and a rear end-side of the accommodation part  170 . The respective holding parts  180 ,  180  are formed at upper end portions thereof with shaft parts  180 A. Both the shaft parts  180 A protrude to face each other. The spring holding part  189  protrudes upward and rightward from an intermediate part of the accommodation part  170  in the front-rear direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 10 , the first pressing member  101  is detachably accommodated in the accommodation part  170 . More specifically, the shaft parts  180 A of the respective holding parts  180 ,  180  shown in  FIG. 11  are fitted in both end portions of the first pressing member  101 , so that the first pressing member  101  is held in the accommodation part  170 . In the meantime, when at least one of the respective holding parts  180 ,  180  is flexibly deformed to separate the shaft parts  180 A from both end portions of the first pressing member  101 , the first pressing member  101  can be detached from the respective holding parts  180 ,  180 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 to 10 , the first pressing member  101  is an integrally-molded product made of resin. As the resin material configuring the first pressing member  101 , a thermoplastic resin such as a nylon resin, a polycarbonate resin, a polyethylene resin, a polypropylene resin, an ABS resin and the like, and a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a phenol resin and the like may be used, or reinforced fibers, fillers and the like may be mixed with the resin. Also, the resin material configuring the first pressing member  101  is easy to be charged due to friction with the sheet, unlike to a conductive metal material. Among the resin materials, a resin that is relatively likely to be charged is preferably used as the resin material configuring the first pressing member  101 . Also, as the resin material configuring the first pressing member  101 , a resin material having favorable wear resistance and sliding characteristic is preferably used. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , for example, the first pressing member  101  has a flat surface  101 F and an inclined surface  101 G. The flat surface  101 F is configured to face the reading surface  83 A from below. The inclined surface  101 G connects to an upstream end edge  101 E of the flat surface  101 F in the conveying direction. The inclined surface  101 G is inclined so that it is more separated downwardly from the conveyance path P 1  as it proceeds upstream in the conveying direction. 
     The inclined surface  101 G is formed with a plurality of first ribs  101 A and a plurality of recess portions  101 P. The plurality of recess portions  101 P is an example of the ‘recess portion’ of this disclosure. The first ribs  101 A are arranged with having an interval in the front-rear direction and extend in a direction from the left towards the right, which is the conveying direction. An upper surface of each first rib  101 A is flush with the inclined surface  101 G. Each recess portion  101 P is recessed to be separated downwardly from the conveyance path P 1  between the respective first ribs  101 A. That is, each recess portion  101 P is a bottomed rectangular hole recessed from the inclined surface  101 G. 
     [JP0084] 
     A first wall part  101 M is configured by a right end of each recess portion  101 P, i.e., an inner wall surface facing upstream in the conveying direction. The first wall parts  101 M extend intermittently in the front-rear direction so that they conform to the upstream end edge  101 E of the flat surface  101 F in the conveying direction from left. That is, the first wall parts  101 M are partitioned at the positions at which the first ribs  101 A are formed. 
     The inclined surface  101 G is formed with a second rib  101 B. The second rib  101 B is positioned at the left of the first wall parts  101 M, i.e., at the upstream side in the conveying direction. The second rib  101 B extends in the front-rear direction and connects to the first ribs  101 A so that it intersects with the respective first ribs  101 A. The second rib  101 B abuts on the respective recess portions  101 P from left. An upper surface of the second rib  10 B is also flush with the inclined surface  101 G. 
     The inclined surface  101 G is formed with a plurality of third ribs  101 C and a plurality of recess portions  101 Q. The third ribs  101 C are arranged with having an interval in the front-rear direction at the left of the first ribs  101 A, i.e., at the upstream side in the conveying direction. The third ribs  101 C extend in a direction from the left towards the right, which is the conveying direction, and connects to the second rib  101 B so that they intersect with the second rib  101 B. An upper surface of each third rib  101 C is also flush with the inclined surface  101 G. Each recess portion  101 Q is recessed to be separated downwardly from the conveyance path P 1  between the respective third ribs  101 C. That is, each recess portion  101 Q is a bottomed rectangular hole recessed from the inclined surface  101 G. 
     The second rib  101 B abuts on the respective recess portions  101 Q from right. A second wall part  101 N is configured by a right end of each recess portion  101 Q, i.e., an inner wall surface facing upstream in the conveying direction. The second wall parts  101 N extend intermittently in the front-rear direction at positions separated leftward from the first wall parts  101 M. That is, the second wall parts  101 N are partitioned at the positions at which the third ribs  101 C are formed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the respective first ribs  101 A and the respective third ribs  101 C are arranged to be out of alignment in the front-rear direction. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , at the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the closed position, the opening  140 H is positioned just above the respective recess portions  101 P and respective recess portions  101 Q and enable the respective recess portions  101 P and respective recess portions  101 Q to face towards the first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , a compression coil spring  101 S is arranged between the first pressing member  101  and the spring holding part  189 . The compression coil spring  101 S is configured to urge the first pressing member  101  towards the third platen glass  83  and reading sensor  3 A. 
     The flat surface  101 F and the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  are configured to face the reading surface  83 A of the third platen glass  83  and to define the first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1  from below, together with the sixth guide surfaces  166 . The sixth guide surfaces  166  are adjacent to an end edge  101 T of end edges of the first pressing member  101 , which is located at a position close to the predetermined reading position, and are inclined downwardly towards the reading surface  82 A located at the predetermined reading position-side. At the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the closed position, the flat surface  101 F and the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  extend to be able to abut on the second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH passing through the first inclined part PB 11  and are configured to guide the sheet SH while urging the sheet SH from below towards the rearing surface  83 A on the first inclined part PB 11  of the lower path PB 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , for example, a gap  51  is formed between the inner wall surfaces  170 E defining the accommodation part  170  and the end edge  101 T of the end edges of the first pressing member  101 , which is located at the position close to the predetermined reading position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 , for example, the guide part  160  has a first partition wall  161  and a pair of front and rear partition walls  162 ,  162 . The first partition wall  161  and the respective partition walls  162 ,  162  are also formed integrally with the frame member  8 W. 
     The first partition wall  161  extends linearly in the front-rear direction with intersecting with the respective ribs  169  and protrudes upwardly. At the intersecting portion of the first partition wall  161  and the respective ribs  169 , an upper end edge of the first partition wall  161  is lower than the upper end edges  169 D of the respective ribs  169 . Thereby, the first partition wall  161  is configured not to interfere with the sheet SH that is being guided by the sixth guide surfaces  166 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the second partition walls  162 ,  162  extend leftward from both end portions of the first partition wall  161  in the front-rear direction, i.e., extend towards the first pressing member  101 . The front-side second partition wall  162  connects to the front holding part  180 . The rear-side second partition wall  162  connects to the rear holding part  180 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the conveyor  4  includes the supply roller  41 , the separation roller  42  and a separation piece  43  at positions close to the feeder tray  91  of the upper path PA 1 . 
     The supply roller  41  and the separation roller  42  are provided at positions facing the first guide surface  111  of the first chute member  110  from above. The separation roller  42  is mounted to a driving shaft  42 S extending in the front-rear direction. The separation roller  42  is a roller configured to rotate integrally with the driving shaft  42 S. 
     A holder  42 F is swingably supported to the driving shaft  42 S. The holder  42 F protrudes rightward from the driving shaft  42 S. The supply roller  41  is rotatably supported to a right part of the holder  42 F. Although not shown, the holder  42 F is provided with a transmission gear group (not shown) configured to transmit a driving force from the driving shaft  42 S to the supply roller  41 . 
     The separation piece  43  is provided at a position of the first chute member  110  facing the separation roller  42  from below. The separation piece  43  is a plate-shaped member made of a soft material such as rubber and elastomer. The separation piece  43  is attached to an upper surface of a separation piece holder  43 F swingably supported to the first chute member  110 . An urging spring  43 S is arranged between the separation piece holder  43 F and the first chute member  110 . The urging spring  43 S is configured to urge upwardly the separation piece holder  43 F, so that the separation piece  43  is pressed by the separation roller  42 . 
     The supply roller  41  is configured to rotate around a shaft center parallel with the driving shaft  42 S, to apply a conveying force to the sheet SH supported on the feeder tray  91  and to convey the sheet SH towards the separation roller  42 . The separation roller  42  is configured to rotate with contacting the sheet SH delivered from the feeder tray  91  towards the upper path PA 1  and to convey the sheet SH towards the curved path PC 1 . The separation piece  43  is configured to separate the sheet SH being conveyed by the separation roller  42  one by one in cooperation with the separation roller  42 . 
     The conveyor  4  includes a first conveying roller  44 , a pinch roller  44 P, a second conveying roller  45 , a pinch roller  45 P, a discharge roller  48  and a pinch roller  48 P. 
     The first conveying roller  44  and the pinch roller  44 P are arranged at the left of the separation roller  42  and the separation piece  43  on the upper path PA 1 , i.e., at the downstream side in the conveying direction. The first conveying roller  44  is positioned at the first guide surface  111 -side and the pinch roller  44 P is positioned at the fourth guide surface  134 -side. The first conveying roller  44  and the pinch roller  44 P are configured to nip the sheet SH separated one by one by the separation roller  42  and separation piece  43  and to convey the same towards the curved path PC 1 . 
     The second conveying roller  45  and the pinch roller  45 P are arranged at the lower portion of the curved path PC 1 . The second conveying roller  45  and the pinch roller  45 P are positioned at the left-upper side of the reading sensor  3 A, i.e., at the upstream side in the conveying direction. The second conveying roller  45  is positioned at the lower curved surface  126 -side, and the pinch roller  45 P is positioned at the fifth guide surface  145 A-side. 
     The second conveying roller  45  and the pinch roller  45 P are configured to nip the sheet SH being conveyed by the first conveying roller  44  and the pinch roller  44 P and to convey the sheet SH towards the reading sensor  3 A facing the first inclined part PB 11  from above and towards the reading sensor  3 B that is stopped at the predetermined reading position and facing the reference part PB 10  from below. At this time, the sheet SH is pressed to the reading surface  83 A by the first pressing member  101 . Also, the sheet SH is pressed to the reading surface  82 A by the second pressing member  102 . 
     The discharge roller  48  and the pinch roller  48 P are arranged at the upstream side with respect to the discharge tray  92  in the conveying direction at the right end portion of the second inclined part PB 12  of the lower path PB 1 . The discharge roller  48  is positioned at the third guide surface  123 -side, and the pinch roller  48 P is positioned at the fifth guide surface  145 B-side. The discharge roller  48  and the pinch roller  48 P are configured to nip the sheet SH having passed above the reading surface  82 A and to discharge the same to the discharge tray  92 . 
     &lt;Image Reading Operation&gt; 
     According to the image reading apparatus  1 , when reading an image of a document supported on the document support surface  81 A, the scanning mechanism (not shown) of the reading unit  3  is operated to move the reading sensor  3 B in the left-right direction between the lower side of the left end edge of the document support surface  81 A and the lower side of the right end edge thereof. Thereby, the reading sensor  3 B reads the image of the document supported on the document support surface  81 A. Thereafter, the scanning mechanism (not shown) returns the reading sensor  3 B having completed the reading to the original position by moving the same from the right end-side in the reading unit  3  to the left end-side. 
     Also, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , when reading the first surface SH 1  and second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH on the feeder tray  91 , the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the closed position. Then, the scanning mechanism (not shown) of the reading unit  3  is operated to stop the reading sensor  3 B at the lower predetermined reading position of the reading surface  82 A. The reading sensor  3 B faces the reference part PB 10  of the lower path PB 1  at the predetermined reading position in a downstream side from the reading sensor  3 A in the conveying direction. 
     When the conveyor  4  sequentially conveys the sheet SH on the feeder tray  91  along the conveyance path P 1 , the sheet SH passes through the upper path PA 1  and the curved path PC 1  and reaches the lower path PB 1 . Then, the reading sensor  3 A reads an image of the first surface SH 1  of the sheet SH passing through the first inclined part PB 11 , through the reading surface  83 A. Then, the reading sensor  3 B stopped at the predetermined reading position reads an image of the second surface SH 2  of the sheet SH passing through the reference part PB 10 , through the reading surface  82 A. The sheet SH, of which images have been read. passes through the second inclined part PB 12  and is then discharged to the discharge tray  92  by the discharge roller  48  and pinch roller  48 P. 
     &lt;Operational Effects&gt; 
     According to the image reading apparatus  1  of the first illustrative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , the first pressing member  101  is easy to be charged due to the friction between the sheet SH being conveyed by the conveyor  4  and the first pressing member  101  made of resin. Therefore, when the dusts such as paper sheets are attached to the sheet SH being conveyed or when the dusts such as dirt are introduced to the conveyance path P 1 , the dusts are adsorbed to the charged first pressing member  101 . Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , it is possible to suppress the dusts from being attached to the reading surface  83 A facing the first pressing member  101  and to the reading surface  82 A positioned at a downstream side with respect to the first pressing member  101  in the conveying direction. 
     Also, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the sheet SH being conveyed by the conveyor  4  is contacted to the second pressing member  102  made of metal, so that it is possible to enable the charges to flow from the sheet SH towards the ground via the second pressing member  102  and the earth wiring  102 W. Therefore, since it is possible to neutralize the sheet SH in the image reading apparatus  1 , the sheet SH being conveyed by the conveyor  4  is discharged to the discharge tray  92  with suppressing from being charged. Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , a situation where the discharged sheet SH sticks to the lower surface of the first chute member  110  positioned above the discharge tray  92 , to a downwardly facing surface of the opened cover  9 C or to the sheet SH discharged in advance is difficult to occur. 
     Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus  1  of the first illustrative embodiment, it is possible to suppress deterioration of image reading qualities of the reading sensors  3 A,  3 B, which is caused due to the dusts such as paper dusts, while suppressing a discharge failure of the sheet SH caused due to static electricity. 
     Also, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , the first pressing member  101  is held in the accommodation part  170  recessed downwardly from the sixth guide surfaces  166  and defines the lower path PB 1  from below, together with the sixth guide surfaces  166 . Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , when the dusts adsorbed to the first pressing member  101  are dropped, it is possible to collect the dusts into the accommodation part  170 . 
     Further, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , it is possible to catch the dusts to be attached to the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  in front of the flat surface  101 F by the plurality of recess portions  101 P formed on the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  and the first wall parts  101 M. 
     Also, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , when a tip of the sheet SH being conveyed by the conveyor  4  is guided by the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101 , it is guided towards the flat surface  101 F with abutting on the respective first ribs  101 A, which are flush with the inclined surface  101 G. Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , it is possible to suppress the tip of the sheet SH from being caught at the first wall parts  101 M of the recess portions  101 P. That is, even when the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  is formed with the recess portions  101 P, a situation is not caused as regards the conveyance of the sheet SH being conveyed along the first pressing member  101 . 
     Further, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , it is possible to catch the dusts to be attached to the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  in front of the second rib  101 B by the plurality of recess portions  101 Q formed on the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  and the second wall parts  101 N. 
     Also, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , when the tip of the sheet SH being conveyed by the conveyor  4  is guided by the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101 , it is guided towards the flat surface  101 F with abutting on the respective third ribs  101 C, which are flush with the inclined surface  101 G. Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , it is possible to suppress the tip of the sheet SH from being be caught at the second wall parts  101 N. That is, even when the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  is formed with the recess portions  101 Q, a situation where the conveyance of the sheet SH being conveyed along the first pressing member  101  do not occur. Also, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , the respective first ribs  101 A and the respective third ribs  101 C are arranged to be out of alignment in the front-rear direction, so that it is possible to catch the dusts over an entire range in the longitudinal direction of the pressing member by the cooperation of the first wall parts  101 M and second wall parts  101 N extending intermittently in the front-rear direction. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 10 , according to the image reading apparatus  1 , the gap  51  is formed between the inner wall surfaces  170 E defining the accommodation part  170  and the end edge  101 T of the end edges of the first pressing member  101 , which is located at the position close to the predetermined reading position. Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , the dusts adsorbed to the first pressing member  101  can be easily dropped through the gap  51  between the inner wall surfaces  170 E and the end edge  101 E of the first pressing member  101 . Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , it is possible to securely collect the dusts adsorbed to the first pressing member  101  into the accommodation part  170 . 
     Also, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , according to the image reading apparatus  1 , even when the dusts collected in the accommodation part  170  intend to pass through between the respective ribs  169 , the dusts are blocked by the first partition wall  161  extending in the front-rear direction with intersecting with the respective ribs  169  and protruding upwardly. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , according to the image reading apparatus  1 , even when the dusts blocked by the first partition wall  161  intend to be discharged from both end portions of the first partition wall  161  in the front-rear direction towards an outside of the accommodation part  170 , the dusts may be surrounded by the respective second partition walls  162 ,  162 . 
     Also, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 11 , according to the image reading apparatus  1 , since the pair of front and rear holding parts  180 ,  180  detachably holds the first pressing member  101 , it is possible to easily replace the first pressing member  101 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 11 , according to the image reading apparatus  1 , it is possible to easily clean the periphery of the accommodation part  170  by detaching the first pressing member  101  at the state where the opening/closing unit  9  is located at the opened position. Also, according to the image reading apparatus  1 , it is possible to easily remove the adsorbed dusts from the detached first pressing member  101 . 
     Second Illustrative Embodiment 
     In the image reading apparatus  1  of the first illustrative embodiment, the recess portions  101 P,  101 Q formed on the inclined surface  101 G are the bottomed holes. In an image reading apparatus of a second illustrative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , recess portions  101 P 2 ,  101 Q 2  are used instead of the recess portions  101 P,  101 Q. The other configurations of the second illustrative embodiment are the same as the first illustrative embodiment. Therefore, the same configurations as the first illustrative embodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals and the descriptions thereof are omitted or simplified. 
     The recess portions  101 P 2 ,  101 Q 2  are the same as the recess portions  101 P,  101 Q, except that the bottoms are removed. That is, the inclined surface  101 G is formed with the recess portions  101 P 2 ,  101 Q 2 , which are through-holes. 
     In the image reading apparatus of the second illustrative embodiment, like the image reading apparatus  1  of the first illustrative embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the image reading qualities of the reading sensors  3 A,  3 B, which is caused due to the dusts such as paper dusts, while suppressing the discharge failure of the sheet SH caused due to the static electricity. 
     Particularly, according to this image reading apparatus, it is possible to drop the dusts, which are adsorbed to the inclined surface  101 G of the first pressing member  101  defining the lower path PB 1  from below, from the first pressing member  101  via the recess portions  101 P 2 ,  101 Q 2 . 
     Although this disclosure has been described with reference to the first and second illustrative embodiments, this disclosure is not limited to the first and second illustrative embodiments and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist thereof. 
     For example, the shapes and numbers of the first wall parts, the second wall parts, the first ribs, the second rib, the third ribs, the recess portions and the like formed on the inclined surface are not limited to the configurations of the illustrative embodiments and can be appropriately selected. 
     This disclosure can be applied to an image reading apparatus, a multifunctional peripheral and the like.