Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an image forming apparatus that includes a paper feeding tray on which paper is stacked, paper feeding means for feeding the paper from the paper feeding tray, and air blowing means for blowing air to a side surface and an upper surface of the stacked paper from a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the paper, in which an air refinement unit that shrinks the area of an air blowing port as being disposed to face the side surface of the paper and that refines an air flow blown from the air blowing port is formed at an air blowing port of the air blowing means.

<CIT> discloses the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM> and describes a sheet feeder that includes a sheet stacking unit to support a sheet bundle, a sheet suction conveying unit for generating air suction and conveying one by one a sheet of the sheet bundle supported by the sheet stacking unit, the conveyance being of an uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle, an air blowing unit for blowing air against a side edge of a sheet bundle supported by the sheet stacking unit, and an air speed adjusting unit for varying a speed of the air blown from the air blowing unit.

The present invention is provided in the appended claims. The following disclosure serves a better understanding of the present invention. An object of the present disclosure is to stabilize the posture of top floating paper compared to a case where air is blown only from a changing region for floating a medium to a side end portion of the medium.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a feeding device including a blowing unit that floats a plurality of stacked media by blowing air to side end portions of the media and that has a first blowing unit which blows the air from a defined region to the media and a second blowing unit which blows the air from a changing region to the media, a feeding unit that feeds the floating media, and a control unit that has a control mode in which the first blowing unit and the second blowing unit simultaneously perform air blowing on the media.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the first aspect, the changing region of the second blowing unit may change in an up-down direction.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the control unit may have a first control mode in which air blowing from the second blowing unit is stopped and air blowing from the first blowing unit to the medium is performed and switch between the first control mode and a second control mode, which is the control mode, depending on a feeding condition of the medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the third aspect, the feeding condition of the medium may include at least one of a type or an environmental humidity of the medium.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the fourth aspect, in a case where the medium is thin paper, the control unit may perform air blowing in the first control mode.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, the blowing unit may have a blowing pipe of the air, a first blowing port, which is the first blowing unit, and a second blowing port, which is the second blowing unit, both of which configure an outlet unit of the blowing pipe.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the sixth aspect, the blowing unit may have a moving member that configures the outlet unit of the blowing pipe and that is movable in an up-down direction, and the first blowing port and the second blowing port may be provided in the moving member.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the seventh aspect, the first blowing port may extend from an upward direction to a downward direction, and the second blowing port may extend in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first blowing port extends with respect to the moving member.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the eighth aspect, the second blowing port may intersect the first blowing port.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the eighth aspect, the second blowing port may be configured by a plurality of openings disposed at an interval in the intersecting direction.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to any one of the eighth aspect to the tenth aspect, the blowing unit may have a closing unit that closes the second blowing port in response to a movement of the moving member in an up-down direction.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a feeding device including a blowing unit that floats a plurality of stacked media by blowing air to side end portions of the media and that has a first blowing port which blows the air from a defined region to the media and a second blowing port which blows the air from a changing region to the media, a feeding unit that feeds the floating media, and a control unit that has a control mode in which the first blowing port and the second blowing port simultaneously perform air blowing on the media.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the twelfth aspect, the blowing unit may have a blowing pipe of the air, and an outlet unit of the blowing pipe may be configured by the first blowing port and the second blowing port.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the feeding device according to the thirteenth aspect, the blowing unit may have a moving member that configures the outlet unit of the blowing pipe and that is movable in an up-down direction, and the first blowing port and the second blowing port may be provided in the moving member.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the feeding device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourteenth aspect and an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium fed from the feeding device.

According to the feeding device according to the first aspect, the posture of top floating paper can be stabilized compared to a case where air is blown only from the changing region to the side end portions of the media for floating the media.

According to the feeding device according to the second aspect, the double-feeding of the media can be prevented compared to a case where the changing region of the second blowing unit changes in the horizontal direction.

According to the feeding device according to the third aspect, both of stabilizing the posture of the floating medium and weakening close contact between the top floating medium and the second medium from the top can be achieved compared to a case where control modes are not switched depending on the feeding condition of the medium.

According to the feeding device according to the fourth aspect, both of stabilizing the posture of the floating medium and weakening close contact between the top floating medium and the second medium from the top can be achieved compared to a case where the feeding condition of the medium does not include the type and the environmental humidity of the medium.

According to the feeding device according to the fifth aspect, the posture of the top floating paper can be stabilized compared to a configuration where air blowing is performed in the second control mode in a case where the medium is the thin paper.

According to the feeding device according to the sixth aspect, the posture of the floating medium is easily stabilized compared to a case where the first blowing port and the second blowing port configure outlet units of respective blowing pipes.

According to the feeding device according to the seventh aspect, close contact between the top floating medium and the second medium from the top can be weakened compared to a case where the second blowing port moves in the horizontal direction together with the moving member.

According to the feeding device according to the eighth aspect, the posture of the floating medium is easily stabilized compared to a case where the first blowing port and the second blowing port extend in the same direction.

According to the feeding device according to the ninth aspect, the size of the moving member can be made small compared to a case where the first blowing port and the second blowing port are separated from each other.

According to the feeding device according to the tenth aspect, a wind speed increases compared to a case where the second blowing port is configured by one opening extending in the intersecting direction.

According to the feeding device according to the eleventh aspect, the configuration of the device is simplified compared to a case where the closing unit moves and closes the second blowing port.

According to the feeding device according to the twelfth aspect, the posture of top floating paper can be stabilized compared to a case where air is blown only from the changing region to the side end portions of the media for floating the media.

According to the feeding device according to the thirteenth aspect, the posture of the floating medium is easily stabilized compared to a case where the first blowing port and the second blowing port configure outlet units of respective blowing pipes.

According to the feeding device according to the fourteenth aspect, close contact between the top floating medium and the second medium from the top can be weakened compared to a case where the second blowing port moves in the horizontal direction together with the moving member.

According to the image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, a media jam caused by the double-feeding of the media can be prevented compared to a case where a feeding device that blows air to the side end portion of the medium only from the changing region for floating the medium is used.

Hereinafter, an example of an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings.

First, a configuration of an image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a schematic view showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment.

An arrow UP shown in the drawings indicates an upward direction of the apparatus (specifically, a vertically upward direction), and an arrow DO indicates a downward direction of the apparatus (specifically, a vertically downward direction). In addition, an arrow LH shown in the drawings indicates a leftward direction of the apparatus, and an arrow RH indicates a rightward direction of the apparatus. In addition, an arrow FR shown in the drawings indicates a forward direction of the apparatus, and an arrow RR indicates a rearward direction of the apparatus. Since the directions are directions determined for convenience of description, an apparatus configuration is not limited to the directions. The term "apparatus" in each direction of the apparatus is omitted in some cases. That is, for example, the "upward direction of the apparatus" is simply referred to as the "upward direction" in some cases.

In addition, in the following description, an "up-down direction" is used to mean "both of the upward direction and the downward direction" or "any one of the upward direction or the downward direction" in some cases. A "right-left direction" is used to mean "both of the rightward direction and the leftward direction" or "any one of the rightward direction or the leftward direction" in some cases. The "right-left direction" can also be referred to as sideways, a lateral direction, and a horizontal direction. A "front-rear direction" is used to mean "both of the forward direction and the rearward direction" or "any one of the forward direction or the rearward direction" in some cases. The "front-rear direction" can also be referred to as sideways, a lateral direction, and a horizontal direction. In addition, the up-down direction, the right-left direction, and the front-rear direction are directions intersecting each other (specifically, directions orthogonal to each other).

In addition, a symbol in which "×" is written in "∘" in the drawings means an arrow from the front toward the back of the page. In addition, a symbol in which "·" is written in "∘" in the drawings means an arrow from the back toward the front of the page.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium P which is an example of a medium. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a feeding device <NUM>, a transporting unit <NUM>, an image forming unit <NUM>, and a discharging unit <NUM>. Hereinafter, each unit of the image forming apparatus <NUM> will be described.

The transporting unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a configuration unit that transports the recording medium P in the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The transporting unit <NUM> has a function of transporting the recording medium P fed from the feeding device <NUM> to the image forming unit <NUM> and a function of transporting the recording medium P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit <NUM> to the discharging unit <NUM>.

Specifically, the transporting unit <NUM> has transporting members 14A and 14B configured by a pair of transport rollers. In the transporting unit <NUM>, the transporting member 14A transports the recording medium P fed from the feeding device <NUM> to the image forming unit <NUM>, and the transporting member 14B transports the recording medium P on which the image is formed by the image forming unit <NUM> to the discharging unit <NUM>.

The transporting members 14A and 14B are not limited to the pair of transport rollers. The transporting members 14A and 14B may be, for example, transporting members such as a transport belt and a transport drum, and it is possible to use various transporting members.

The image forming unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a configuration unit that forms an image on the recording medium P fed from the feeding device <NUM>. Examples of the image forming unit <NUM> include an inkjet image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium using inks and an electrophotographic image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium using toners.

In the inkjet image forming unit, for example, ink droplets are jetted to the recording medium from a jetting unit, and an image is formed on the recording medium. The inkjet image forming unit may form an image on the recording medium as the jetting unit jets ink droplets to a transfer body and the ink droplets are transferred from the transfer body to the recording medium.

The electrophotographic image forming unit performs, for example, each of processes, such as charging, exposing, developing, and transferring, and forms an image on the recording medium. As each of the processes, such as charging, exposing, developing, and transferring, is performed to form an image on the transfer body and the image is transferred from the transfer body to the recording medium, the electrophotographic image forming unit may form the image on the recording medium.

Examples of the image forming unit are not limited to the inkjet image forming unit described above and the electrophotographic image forming unit described above, and various image forming units can be used.

The discharging unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a portion to which the recording medium on which an image is formed is discharged in the image forming apparatus <NUM>. After the image is formed by the image forming unit <NUM>, the recording medium P transported by the transporting unit <NUM> (specifically, the transporting member 14B) is discharged to the discharging unit <NUM>.

The feeding device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> is a device that feeds the recording medium P. In the present exemplary embodiment, the feeding device <NUM> feeds the recording medium P in a feeding direction (specifically, the rightward direction) determined in advance. Therefore, in the feeding device <NUM>, the rightward direction is a downstream side in the feeding direction, and the leftward direction is an upstream side in the feeding direction. In addition, in the recording medium P fed from the feeding device <NUM>, a downstream end portion in the feeding direction will be referred to as a leading end portion, and an upstream end portion in the feeding direction will be referred to as a trailing end portion. In addition, in the recording medium P, a direction (specifically, the front-rear direction) intersecting the feeding direction will be referred to as a width direction, and an end portion in the width direction will be referred to as a side end portion.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the feeding device <NUM> includes an accommodating unit <NUM>, a lifting and lowering unit <NUM> (see <FIG>), a blowing unit <NUM>, a blowing unit <NUM> (see <FIG>), a feeding unit <NUM>, a separating unit <NUM>, a restricting unit <NUM>, and a control device <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Hereinafter, each unit of the feeding device <NUM> will be described.

The accommodating unit <NUM> is a configuration unit that accommodates the recording medium P. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the accommodating unit <NUM> has a stacking portion <NUM> and a pair of side walls <NUM>. <FIG> shows one side wall <NUM> (specifically, a forward side) of the pair of side walls <NUM>.

The stacking portion <NUM> is a configuration unit on which the recording media P are stacked. Specifically, the stacking portion <NUM> configures a bottom portion of the accommodating unit <NUM> and is configured by a stacking plate (so-called bottom plate) having an upper surface 22A on which the recording media P are stacked.

Each of the pair of side walls <NUM> is disposed on each of the forward side and a rearward side with respect to the recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. Each of the pair of side walls <NUM> faces each of a pair of side end portions of the recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>, and the recording media P are positioned in the width direction (that is, the front-rear direction).

The accommodating unit <NUM> has a positioning unit (not shown) that positions the trailing end portions of the recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. The accommodating unit <NUM> is not limited to the configuration, and various configurations can be used.

The lifting and lowering unit <NUM> is a configuration unit that lifts and lowers the recording medium P accommodated in the accommodating unit <NUM>. Specifically, the lifting and lowering unit <NUM> lifts the recording medium P such that the uppermost recording medium P is positioned at a height determined in advance (hereinafter, referred to as a feeding height) by lifting the stacking portion <NUM> and lowers the recording medium P by lowering the stacking portion <NUM>.

For example, a pulling member, such as a wire, a pushing member, such as an arm, and the like can be used as the lifting and lowering unit <NUM>. For example, the recording medium P is lifted as the stacking portion <NUM> is pulled upward by the pulling member, and the recording medium P is lowered by the weights of the recording medium P and the stacking portion <NUM>. For example, the recording medium P is lifted as the stacking portion <NUM> is pushed upward from a lower side of the stacking portion <NUM> by the pushing member, and the recording medium P is lowered by the weights of the recording medium P and the stacking portion <NUM>. The lifting and lowering unit <NUM> is not limited to the configuration, and various configurations can be used.

The blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are configuration units that blow air between a plurality of stacked recording media P and that float the recording media P. Specifically, the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> are configuration units that float the recording media P by blowing air to the side end portions of the plurality of stacked recording media P. Hereinafter, air blown from the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> toward the recording media P is indicated by the reference sign G1. The blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> blow the air G1 to the plurality of recording media P positioned in a range determined in advance, including the uppermost recording medium P, among the plurality of recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>. That is, the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> blow the air G1 to the plurality of recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> in a range from the feeding height to a position thereunder determined in advance. Herein, floating the recording media P as the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> blow the air G1 between the plurality of stacked recording media P is to separate the plurality of recording media P from each other one by one and to feed one by one by blowing the air G1 between the plurality of recording media P respectively. <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> schematically show a state where the air G1 is blown to an upper portion of the plurality of stacked recording media P for floating.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the blowing unit <NUM> has a pair of blowers <NUM>, a pair of blowing pipes <NUM>, and a pair of blowing port units <NUM>.

The pair of blowers <NUM> are devices that send wind (that is, the air G1). Each of the pair of blowers <NUM> is attached to an outer surface (that is, a surface on an opposite side to a surface facing the recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>) of each of the pair of side walls <NUM>. For example, centrifugal blowers that blow air in a centrifugal direction, such as multi-blade blowers (for example, sirocco fans), are used as the blowers <NUM>. Axial flow blowers that blow air in an axial direction and other blowers may be used as the blowers <NUM>.

Each of the pair of blowing pipes <NUM> configures a passage through which the air G1 sent from each of the pair of blowers <NUM> passes. One end portion of each of the pair of blowing pipes <NUM> is connected to each of the pair of blowers <NUM>, and the other end portion is connected to each of the pair of blowing port units <NUM>.

Each of the pair of blowing port units <NUM> is an outlet unit of the blowing pipe <NUM> for blowing the air G1 to the plurality of recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> and is provided in each of the pair of side walls <NUM>. Each of the pair of blowing port units <NUM> is open in an upper portion of the side wall <NUM>.

The blowing port unit <NUM> is provided with a louver <NUM> having a plurality of blade plates. A direction of the air G1 (blowing direction) fed (blown) from the blowing port unit <NUM> is determined by a direction of the blade plates configuring the louver <NUM>. Although the blade plates of the present exemplary embodiment extend in the up-down direction as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the blade plates may extend in the right-left direction. Further, the direction of the blade plates may be configured to be changed. The blowing direction of the air G1 can be changed by changing the direction of the blade plates.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of blowing units <NUM> are provided at intervals in the feeding direction (right-left direction) of the recording medium P. Specifically, two blowing units <NUM> are provided at an interval in the feeding direction (right-left direction) of the recording medium P. Then, the air G1 is blown from the blowing unit <NUM> that is on a leading end portion side of the plurality of stacked recording media P and that is on a downstream side in the feeding direction with respect to both side end portions of the recording media P. In addition, the air G1 is blown from the blowing unit <NUM> that is on a trailing end portion side of the plurality of stacked recording media P and that is on an upstream side in the feeding direction with respect to both side end portions of the recording media P.

The blowing unit <NUM> may blow the air G1 between the plurality of stacked recording media P, that is, to at least one side end portion side of side end portion sides of the recording media P. In addition, three or more blowing units <NUM> may be provided at intervals in the right-left direction, or one blowing unit <NUM> may be provided. In a case of providing only one blowing unit <NUM>, the blowing unit <NUM> may be disposed at a position where the air G1 can be blown to the leading end portion side of the plurality of recording media P, for example, on the downstream side in the feeding direction.

The pair of blowers <NUM> are devices that send wind (that is, air). Each of the pair of blowers <NUM> is attached to the outer surface (that is, the surface on the opposite side to the surface facing the recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM>) of each of the pair of side walls <NUM>. For example, centrifugal blowers that blow air in a centrifugal direction, such as multi-blade blowers (for example, sirocco fans) are used as the blowers <NUM>. Axial flow blowers that blow air in an axial direction and other blowers may be used as the blowers <NUM>.

Each of the pair of blowing pipes <NUM> configures a passage through which air sent from each of the pair of blowers <NUM> passes. One end portion of each of the pair of blowing pipes <NUM> is connected to each of the pair of blowers <NUM>, and the other end portion is connected to each of the pair of blowing port units <NUM>.

Each of the pair of blowing port units <NUM> is an outlet unit of the blowing pipe <NUM> that blows air to the plurality of recording media P stacked on the stacking portion <NUM> and is provided in each of the pair of side walls <NUM>. Each of the pair of blowing port units <NUM> is open in the upper portion of the side wall <NUM>.

The blowing port unit <NUM> is provided with a louver <NUM> having a plurality of blade plates 78A, as shown in <FIG>. The blowing direction of the air G1 fed from the blowing port unit <NUM> is determined by a direction of the blade plates 78A configuring the louver <NUM>. Although the blade plates 78A of the present exemplary embodiment extend in the up-down direction as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the blade plates 78A may extend in the right-left direction. Further, the direction of the blade plates 78A may be configured to be changed. The blowing direction of the air G1 can be changed by changing the direction of the blade plates 78A.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the blowing unit <NUM> has a first blowing unit <NUM>, a second blowing unit <NUM>, and a moving member <NUM>. The first blowing unit <NUM> and the second blowing unit <NUM> configure the blowing port unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first blowing unit <NUM> is a configuration unit that blows the air G1 to the recording medium P from a defined region R1. The defined region R1 herein refers to a region of an opening that is a part of the blowing port unit <NUM> and that is surrounded by a one-dot chain line in <FIG> and <FIG>. In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a position of the region R1 in the up-down direction does not change in response to a vertical movement of the moving member <NUM>, in other words, the position in the up-down direction is determined. Further, in the region R1 of the present exemplary embodiment, a blowing area (in other words, an opening area) for blowing the air G1 does not change in response to the movement of the moving member <NUM>, that is, the blowing area is constant.

As shown in <FIG>, the second blowing unit <NUM> is a configuration unit that blows the air G1 to the recording medium P from a changing region R2. The changing region R2 herein refers to a region of an opening that is a part of the blowing port unit <NUM> and that is surrounded by a two-dot chain line in <FIG>. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the position of the region R2 in the up-down direction (the position of an opening positioned between the blade plates 78A in the up-down direction) changes in response to the vertical movement of the moving member <NUM>. Further, the area (blowing area) of the region R2 of the present exemplary embodiment changes in some cases in response to the movement of the moving member <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the area (blowing area) of the region R2 shrinks as a second blowing port <NUM> (details to be described later) configuring the changing region R2 that changes in response to the lifting of the moving member <NUM> is closed with a closing unit <NUM> to be described later. On the other hand, the area (blowing area) of the region R2 increases as the second blowing port <NUM> closed with the closing unit <NUM> is exposed in response to the lowering of the moving member <NUM>. Herein, in the second blowing unit <NUM>, with the passage of time, the position of the region R2 changes up and down, or the area of the region R2 shrinks or expands. That is, the moving member <NUM> moves up and down while maintaining a constant speed. The position of the region R2 changes up and down in this moving state, or the area shrinks or expands. That is, in response to the vertical movement of the moving member <NUM>, the area (blowing area) of the region R2 shrinks, and after then, the area (blowing area) of the region R2 increases in some cases. The region R2 changes in the same mode (in a print job). In addition, for example, it is preferable for the moving member <NUM> not to stop the movement while moving up and down, but may stop temporarily.

The moving member <NUM> configures the blowing port unit <NUM> and is configured to be movable in the up-down direction. Specifically, the moving member <NUM> is inserted into a through-hole <NUM> that is provided in a portion on a back side of a tip of the blowing port unit <NUM> and that penetrates in the up-down direction and is movable (slidable) in the through-hole <NUM> in the up-down direction. As shown in <FIG>, the moving member <NUM> includes a plate portion <NUM> and a shaft portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the plate portion <NUM> has a first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM>. Both of the first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM> are through-holes that penetrate the plate portion <NUM> in a thickness direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first blowing port <NUM> extends in a moving direction of the moving member <NUM> (in other words, a stacking direction of the recording medium P). In other words, the first blowing port <NUM> extends from the upward direction to the downward direction. The first blowing port <NUM> is a long hole of which a longitudinal direction is the moving direction of the moving member <NUM>. In addition, the length of the first blowing port <NUM> in an extending direction (longitudinal direction) is larger than the length of the region R1. Specifically, the length of the first blowing port <NUM> is set such that the entire region overlaps the region R1 at a first position (see <FIG> and <FIG>) where the moving member <NUM> has moved upward and the entire region overlaps the region R1 also at a second position (see <FIG> and <FIG>) where the moving member <NUM> has moved downward.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second blowing port <NUM> extends in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first blowing port <NUM> extends with respect to the moving member <NUM>. Specifically, the second blowing port <NUM> extends in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first blowing port <NUM> extends with respect to the moving member <NUM>. In addition, the second blowing port <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment is configured by a plurality of openings <NUM> disposed at intervals in the intersecting direction. For example, the plurality of (three) openings <NUM> are provided on each of both sides with the first blowing port <NUM> interposed therebetween. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the second blowing port <NUM> is inclined such that an opening length of a lower surface 98A becomes longer toward the blowing direction. In other words, the lower surface 98A of the second blowing port <NUM> is inclined obliquely downward with respect to the blowing direction.

In addition, both end portions of the plate portion <NUM> in the width direction are provided with slide units <NUM>, respectively. The movement of the slide unit <NUM> in the up-down direction is guided by a guide unit 77A of the through-hole <NUM>. That is, the movement of the moving member <NUM> in the up-down direction is guided by the guide unit 77A.

The shaft portion <NUM> is provided on a lower side of the plate portion <NUM>. The shaft portion <NUM> is connected to a moving device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The moving device <NUM> moves the plate portion <NUM> in the up-down direction via the shaft portion <NUM>. Specifically, the moving device <NUM> moves the moving member <NUM> to the first position by moving the moving member <NUM> upward and moves the moving member <NUM> to the second position by moving the moving member <NUM> downward. For example, a pushing member, such as an arm, and the like can be used as the moving device <NUM>. In addition, a pulling member such as a wire may be used as the moving device <NUM>. The moving device <NUM> is not limited to the configuration, and various configurations can be used.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the blowing unit <NUM> has the closing unit <NUM> that closes the second blowing port <NUM> in response to the movement of the moving member <NUM> in the up-down direction. Specifically, the closing unit <NUM> is provided at the blowing port unit <NUM> and closes the second blowing port <NUM> in response to an upward movement of the moving member <NUM>. In a case where the moving member <NUM> is at the second position, the second blowing port <NUM> is closed with the closing unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the closing unit <NUM> is provided on the downstream side of the moving member <NUM> of the blowing port unit <NUM> in the blowing direction and on an upper portion side thereof.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the blowing unit <NUM> is disposed between the blowing units <NUM> adjacent to each other in the feeding direction of the recording medium P. Then, the blowing unit <NUM> blows the air G1 to a central portion of the plurality of stacked recording media P, that is, both side end portions of the recording medium P.

The blowing unit <NUM> may blow air between the plurality of stacked recording media P, that is, to at least one side end portion side of the side end portion sides of the recording media P.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the blowing direction of the air G1 of the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> is directed to an oblique direction from the downstream side toward the upstream side in the feeding direction. The present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the blowing direction of the air G1 of the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> may be a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction. In addition, the blowing port units <NUM> of the pair of blowing units <NUM> face each other in the present exemplary embodiment, but may be shifted away from each other in the feeding direction. Similarly, the blowing port units <NUM> of the pair of blowing units <NUM> face each other, but may be shifted away from each other in the feeding direction.

The feeding unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> is a configuration unit that makes the recording medium P floated by the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> stick thereto and that feeds the recording medium P. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the feeding unit <NUM> makes the uppermost recording medium P (hereinafter, referred to as an uppermost medium P1), among the recording media P floated by the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM>, stick thereto and feeds the uppermost recording medium P1 to the downstream side in the feeding direction (specifically, the rightward direction) as shown in <FIG>. More specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the feeding unit <NUM> has a sticking body <NUM> and a moving mechanism <NUM>.

The sticking body <NUM> is a configuration body that makes the uppermost medium P1 stick to a lower surface 42A through suction. Specifically, on a trailing end portion side of a leading end portion of the uppermost medium P1 positioned at the feeding height, the sticking body <NUM> makes the uppermost medium P1 stick thereto. An overhanging portion <NUM> that overhangs to the downstream side in the feeding direction (specifically, the rightward direction) is formed at the sticking body <NUM>. As the uppermost medium P1 sticks to the lower surface 42A of the sticking body <NUM>, the leading end portion of the uppermost medium P1 is pushed against a lower surface 43A of the overhanging portion <NUM>. The lower surface 42A of the sticking body <NUM> is an example of a sticking surface.

The moving mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism that moves the sticking body <NUM> in the feeding direction with respect to a device body 12A of the feeding device <NUM>. Specifically, the moving mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism that moves the sticking body <NUM> in the right-left direction (that is, a downstream direction and an upstream direction in the feeding direction), between a suction position (a position shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) and a delivery position (a position shown in <FIG>).

Specifically, the moving mechanism <NUM> is configured, for example, by using a known mechanism such as a motor, a gear, a rack, a pinion, and a belt drive. The moving mechanism <NUM> is not limited to a certain mechanism, and various configurations can be used.

In the feeding unit <NUM>, the sticking body <NUM> makes the uppermost medium P1 stick to the lower surface 42A through suction at the suction position (the position shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), and the sticking body <NUM> is moved to the delivery position (the position shown in <FIG>) by the moving mechanism <NUM>. Then, at the delivery position, the recording medium P is delivered from the sticking body <NUM> to a pair of feeding rollers <NUM>, and the pair of feeding rollers <NUM> feed the recording medium P toward the image forming unit <NUM>.

The pair of feeding rollers <NUM> are feeding members that feed the recording medium P toward the image forming unit <NUM>. The pair of feeding rollers <NUM> are disposed on the downstream side in the feeding direction with respect to the sticking body <NUM> (specifically, the delivery position described above) to come into contact with each other in the up-down direction. The feeding members are not limited to the pair of feeding rollers <NUM>. The feeding members may be, for example, feeding members such as annular belts and drums, and it is possible to use various feeding members.

The feeding unit <NUM> is not limited to the configuration. For example, the feeding unit <NUM> may be configured to use a feeding member such as a belt, instead of the sticking body <NUM>. In the configuration in which the annular belt is used, for example, a suction unit that makes the recording medium P stick to an outer peripheral surface of the belt through suction can be configured to be provided at an inner periphery of the belt. In a case of such an annular belt, the stuck recording medium P can be fed to the pair of feeding rollers <NUM> through circumferential motion of the belt. That is, in a case of the annular belt, the recording medium P can be fed to the pair of feeding rollers <NUM> even in a state where the belt is fixed to the device body 12A in the right-left direction.

The separating unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is a configuration unit that blows air G2 to the recording medium P (hereinafter, referred to as the next medium P2) positioned immediately below the uppermost medium P1 stuck to the feeding unit <NUM> (specifically, the sticking body <NUM>) and that separates the next medium P2 from the uppermost medium P1. The next medium P2 is the recording medium P that is fed next to the uppermost medium P1 and is the recording medium P disposed adjacently below the uppermost medium P1. More specifically, the separating unit <NUM> has, for example, a blowing device <NUM>, a flow pipe <NUM>, and a nozzle <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The blowing device <NUM> is a device that blows the air G2 to the flow pipe <NUM>. Specifically, for example, an air compressor that blows compressed air to the flow pipe <NUM> or the like is used as the blowing device <NUM>. The blowing device <NUM> is not limited to the air compressor, and other blowing devices may be used.

The flow pipe <NUM> configures a passage through which the air G2 sent from the blowing device <NUM> passes.

A plurality of nozzles <NUM> may be provided along the width direction (that is, the front-rear direction) of the recording medium P with respect to the flow pipe <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the nozzles <NUM> are provided at the central portion of the recording medium P in the width direction. The nozzles <NUM> extend from the flow pipe <NUM> to a sticking body <NUM> (specifically, the overhanging portion <NUM>) side (that is, an obliquely upper left side). The nozzles <NUM> have a function of leading the air G2 blown from the blowing device <NUM> through the flow pipe <NUM> to an upper side (obliquely upper left side).

In the separating unit <NUM>, in a state where the sticking body <NUM> is positioned at the suction position (the position shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), air is jetted from the nozzle <NUM> toward the overhanging portion <NUM> from the downstream side in the feeding direction. The jetted air G2 hits the overhanging portion <NUM>. The hit air is blown between the uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2. Then, the air G2 that has hit the overhanging portion <NUM> is guided by the lower surface 43A and is blown between the uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2. Specifically, the blown air G2 passes between the uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2 from the downstream side to the upstream side in the feeding direction. Accordingly, the next medium P2 is separated from the uppermost medium P1.

As described above, since the air G2 jetted from the nozzle <NUM> is blown between the uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2 through the overhanging portion <NUM>, the overhanging portion <NUM> may be understood as one element of the separating unit <NUM>. The separating unit <NUM> may be configured to blow air directly between the uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2 without passing through the overhanging portion <NUM>.

The restricting unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a configuration unit that restricts the movement of the next medium P2 to the downstream side in the feeding direction. Specifically, the restricting unit <NUM> is configured by a restricting wall disposed between the accommodating unit <NUM> and the pair of feeding rollers <NUM> (specifically, the feeding roller <NUM> disposed on the lower side) in side view. The restricting unit <NUM> is formed in a plate shape extending in the up-down direction in side view.

The restricting unit <NUM> lowers the next medium P2 from the uppermost medium P1 by coming into contact with the next medium P2 fed to the downstream side in the feeding direction together with the uppermost medium P1 in response to the movement of the sticking body <NUM> to the delivery position and restricts the movement of the next medium P2 to the downstream side in the feeding direction. The restricting unit <NUM> is not limited to the configuration, and other restricting means may be used.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the feeding device <NUM>. The feeding device <NUM> has the control device <NUM>, and the lifting and lowering unit <NUM>, the blowing unit <NUM>, the blowing unit <NUM>, the feeding unit <NUM>, the separating unit <NUM>, and the control device <NUM> are connected to each other in a manner that enables communication via a bus.

As described in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU: processor) <NUM>, a read only memory (ROM) <NUM>, a random access memory (RAM) <NUM>, and a storage <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> is a central arithmetic processing unit, executes various types of programs, or controls each unit. That is, the CPU <NUM> reads a program from the ROM <NUM> or the storage <NUM> and executes the program with the RAM <NUM> as a work area. The CPU <NUM> performs control of each configuration and various types of arithmetic processing in accordance with the program stored in the ROM <NUM> or the storage <NUM>.

The ROM <NUM> stores various types of programs and various types of data. The RAM <NUM> temporarily stores a program or data as a work area. The storage <NUM> is configured by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) and stores various types of programs including an operating system and various types of data.

The control device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment has a first control mode and a second control mode and is configured to switch between the first control mode and the second control mode depending on feeding conditions of the recording medium P.

The first control mode of the control device <NUM> is a mode in which air blowing from the second blowing unit <NUM> to the recording medium P is stopped and air blowing from the first blowing unit <NUM> to the recording medium P is performed. In the first control mode, the control device <NUM> moves the moving member <NUM> to the first position shown in <FIG>. In a case where the moving member <NUM> moves to the first position, the second blowing port <NUM> configuring the second blowing unit <NUM> is closed with the closing unit <NUM>. Accordingly, air blowing from the second blowing unit <NUM> (second blowing port <NUM>) is prevented by the closing unit <NUM>. On the other hand, in the first blowing port <NUM> configuring the first blowing unit <NUM>, a blowing region of the air G1 does not change since the entire defined region R1 is positioned on an inner side of the first blowing port <NUM> (in an opening region of the first blowing port <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> even in a case where the moving member <NUM> moves to the first position. As the air G1 is blown from the blowers <NUM> via the first blowing port <NUM> in this state, the air G1 can be blown from the first blowing unit <NUM> to the recording medium P (see <FIG>) in a state where air blowing from the second blowing unit <NUM> is stopped (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

In addition, the second control mode of the control device <NUM> is a mode in which the first blowing unit <NUM> and the second blowing unit <NUM> simultaneously perform air blowing to the recording medium P. In the second control mode, the control device <NUM> moves the moving member <NUM> to the second position shown in <FIG>. Herein, the entire defined region R1 is positioned on the inner side of the first blowing port <NUM> (in the opening region of the first blowing port <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> even in a case where the moving member <NUM> moves to the second position. On the other hand, in a case where the moving member <NUM> moves to the second position, the second blowing port <NUM> is opened as shown in <FIG>. As the air G1 is blown from the blowers <NUM> via the first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM> in this state, air blowing from the first blowing unit <NUM> and the second blowing unit <NUM> to the recording medium P can be simultaneously performed (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

In addition, the feeding conditions of the recording medium P include at least one of the type or the environmental humidity of the recording medium P. Herein, examples of the type of the recording medium P include a paper type and a dimension. The type of the recording medium P may be acquired from information input by a user. Alternatively, the feeding device <NUM> is provided with a sensor, and the type of the recording medium may be acquired from information from the sensor.

In addition, the control device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment is set such that air blowing is performed in the first control mode in a case where the recording medium P is thin paper, and air blowing is performed in the second control mode in a case where the recording medium P is thick paper. Specifically, the control device <NUM> is set such that air blowing is performed in the first control mode in a case where the recording medium P is thin paper and has an environmental humidity RH of less than <NUM>%, and air blowing is performed in the second control mode in a case where the recording medium P is thick paper and has an environmental humidity RH of <NUM>% or more. The present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and in a case where the feeding conditions of the recording medium P include only the type of the recording medium P, a control mode may be switched depending on whether the recording medium P is thin paper or the recording medium P is thick paper. In addition, in a case where the feeding conditions of the recording medium P include only the environmental humidity, setting may be made such that air blowing is performed in the second control mode in a case where the environmental humidity RH is <NUM>% or more, and air blowing is performed in the first control mode in a case where the environmental humidity RH is less than <NUM>%.

In the present exemplary embodiment, an air blowing control program that controls a state where air is blown to the recording medium P by the blowing unit <NUM> depending on the feeding conditions of the recording medium P is stored in the ROM <NUM> or the storage <NUM>. Through the program, the control device <NUM> has a function of switching between the first control mode and the second control mode depending on the feeding conditions of the recording medium P.

Next, workings according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

In the feeding device <NUM>, air is blown between the plurality of stacked recording media P from the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM>, and the recording media P are floated. Next, the feeding unit <NUM> makes the uppermost medium P1 floated by the blowing unit <NUM> and the blowing unit <NUM> stick thereto. Then, the separating unit <NUM> blows the air G2 obliquely downward from the downstream side to the upstream side in the feeding direction to a front surface side of the next medium P2 positioned immediately below the uppermost medium P1 stuck to the feeding unit <NUM> and separates the next medium P2 from the uppermost medium P1. Specifically, the air G2 blown from the nozzle <NUM> to the front surface side of the next medium P2 passes between the next medium P2 and the uppermost medium P1 and separates the next medium P2 from the uppermost medium P1. After then, the feeding unit <NUM> is moved to the delivery position and feeds the uppermost medium P1.

In the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, the control device <NUM> has the second control mode in which air blowing from the first blowing unit <NUM> and the second blowing unit <NUM> to the recording medium P is simultaneously performed. For this reason, the feeding device <NUM> may stabilize the posture of the floating uppermost medium P1 by blowing air in the second control mode compared to a case where air is blown to the side end portion of the recording medium P only from the changing region R2 for floating the recording medium P. Accordingly, a transport failure of the recording medium P may be prevented.

In addition, since the changing region R2 of the second blowing unit <NUM> changes in the up-down direction in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, compared to a case where the changing region R2 changes in the horizontal direction, the air G1 is likely to flow between the floating uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2, and close contact between the uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2 may be weakened. Accordingly, double-feeding of the recording media P may be prevented.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, the control device <NUM> stops air blowing from the second blowing unit <NUM> and switches between the first control mode in which air blowing from the first blowing unit <NUM> to the recording medium P is performed and the second control mode depending on the feeding conditions of the recording medium P. For this reason, in the feeding device <NUM>, both of stabilizing the posture of the floating recording medium P and weakening close contact between the floating uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2 may be achieved compared to a case where the control device <NUM> does not switch between the first control mode and the second control mode depending on the feeding conditions of the recording medium P. That is, the transport failure of the recording medium P and the double-feeding of the recording media P may be prevented.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, the control device <NUM> includes at least one of the type (a paper type or a dimension) or environmental humidity of the recording medium P as the feeding conditions of the recording medium P. For this reason, in the feeding device <NUM>, both of stabilizing the posture of the floating recording medium P and weakening close contact between the floating uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2 may be achieved compared to a case where the feeding conditions of the recording medium P do not include the type and the environmental humidity of the recording medium P.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the paper type of the recording medium P is thin paper, the control device <NUM> performs air blowing in the first control mode. Since the thin paper has a high medium floating sensitivity in response to blowing of the air G1 compared to thick paper (that is, the thin paper is likely to float compared to the thick paper), there is a tendency in which a stable medium floating posture is likely to be lost through blowing of the air G1 from the changing region R2. For this reason, in the feeding device <NUM>, in a case where the paper type of the recording medium P is thin paper, air blowing from the second blowing unit <NUM> (changing region R2) is stopped, and only air blowing from the first blowing unit <NUM> (defined region R1) is performed. Accordingly, in the feeding device <NUM>, compared to a configuration where air blowing is performed in the second control mode in a case where the recording medium P is the thin paper, the posture of top floating thin paper may be stabilized.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the paper type of the recording medium P is thick paper, the control device <NUM> performs air blowing in the second control mode. The thick paper has a low medium floating sensitivity in response to blowing of the air G1 compared to thin paper (that is, the thick paper is unlikely to float compared to the thin paper). For this reason, in the feeding device <NUM>, air blowing from both of the first blowing unit <NUM> and the second blowing unit <NUM> is performed in a case where the paper type of the recording medium P is the thick paper. Accordingly, in the feeding device <NUM>, compared to a configuration where air blowing is performed in the first control mode in a case where the recording medium P is the thick paper, both of stabilizing the posture of the floating thick paper and weakening close contact between the top floating thick paper and second thick paper from the top may be achieved.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, since the blowing unit <NUM> has the blowing pipe <NUM> and the first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM> that configure the blowing port unit <NUM>, which is the outlet unit of the blowing pipe <NUM>, the posture of the floating recording medium P is easily stabilized compared to a case where the first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM> configure outlet units of respective blowing pipes.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, the blowing unit <NUM> has the moving member <NUM> that configures the blowing port unit <NUM> and that is movable in the up-down direction, and the moving member <NUM> is provided with the first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM>. For this reason, in the feeding device <NUM>, close contact between the floating uppermost medium P1 and the next medium P2 may be weakened compared to a case where the second blowing port <NUM> moves in the horizontal direction together with the moving member <NUM>.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, since the first blowing port <NUM> extends from the upward direction to the downward direction and the second blowing port <NUM> extends in the direction intersecting the direction in which the first blowing port <NUM> extends with respect to the moving member <NUM>, the posture of the floating recording medium P is easily stabilized compared to a case where the first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM> extend in the same direction.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, since the second blowing port <NUM> is configured by the plurality of openings <NUM> disposed at intervals in the direction intersecting the first blowing port <NUM>, a wind speed per opening increases compared to a case where the second blowing port <NUM> is configured by one opening extending in the intersecting direction.

In addition, in the feeding device <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, since the blowing unit <NUM> has the closing unit <NUM> that closes the second blowing port <NUM> in response to the movement of the moving member <NUM> in the up-down direction, the configuration of the device is simplified compared to a case where the second blowing port <NUM> is closed as the closing unit <NUM> moves.

In addition, since the feeding device <NUM> is used in the image forming apparatus <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment, a media jam caused by the double-feeding of the recording media P may be prevented compared to a case where a feeding device that blows the air G1 to the side end portions of the recording media P only from the changing region R2 for floating the recording media P is used.

Although the air G1 is blown toward an opposite side to the feeding direction of the recording medium P due to the louver <NUM> provided at the blowing port unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG> in the blowing unit <NUM> of the exemplary embodiment described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As in a blowing port unit <NUM> of a blowing unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the air G1 may be blown in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium P due to a louver <NUM>. Further, the louver <NUM> may not be provided.

Although the openings <NUM> configuring the second blowing port <NUM> are provided on both sides respectively with the first blowing port <NUM> interposed therebetween in the feeding device <NUM> of the exemplary embodiment described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the second blowing port <NUM> may be configured to be provided on only one side of the first blowing port <NUM>. Further, the second blowing port <NUM> may extend in the direction intersecting the first blowing port <NUM> and intersect the first blowing port <NUM>. As the first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM> intersect each other, the width of the plate portion <NUM> of the moving member <NUM> can be decreased and the size of the moving member <NUM> may be made small compared to a case where the first blowing port <NUM> and the second blowing port <NUM> are separated from each other.

Although the recording medium P is floated by the plurality of blowing units <NUM> and one blowing unit <NUM> in the feeding device <NUM> of the exemplary embodiment described above, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the recording medium P may be floated by operating only one blowing unit <NUM> depending on the feeding conditions of the recording medium P, or the recording medium P may be floated by operating the blowing unit <NUM> on the downstream side in the feeding direction and the blowing unit <NUM>.

Although the feeding device <NUM> has the plurality of blowing units <NUM> and one blowing unit <NUM> in the exemplary embodiment described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the feeding device <NUM> may be configured to have only one or a plurality of blowing units <NUM>. In a case where the feeding device <NUM> has the plurality of blowing units <NUM> instead of the plurality of blowing units <NUM>, control modes of the respective blowing units <NUM> may be switched depending on a position with respect to the recording medium P.

The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the plurality of modification examples described above may be configured in combination as appropriate. For example, the first blowing unit <NUM> and the second blowing unit <NUM> may be provided separately from each other.

Claim 1:
A feeding device (<NUM>) comprising:
a blowing unit (<NUM>) that floats a plurality of stacked media (P) by blowing air (G1) to side end portions of the media (P) and that has a first blowing unit (<NUM>) which blows the air (G1) from a defined region (R1) to the media (P) and a second blowing unit (<NUM>) which blows the air (G1) from a changing region (R2) to the media (P);
a feeding unit (<NUM>) that feeds the floating media (P); and
a control unit (<NUM>) that has a control mode in which the first blowing unit (<NUM>) and the second blowing unit (<NUM>) simultaneously perform air blowing on the media (P),
wherein the blowing unit (<NUM>) has a blowing pipe (<NUM>) of the air (G1), a first blowing port (<NUM>), which is the first blowing unit (<NUM>), and a second blowing port (<NUM>), which is the second blowing unit (<NUM>), both of which configure an outlet unit of the blowing pipe (<NUM>),
the feeding device (<NUM>) being characterized in that:
the blowing unit (<NUM>) has a moving member (<NUM>) that configures the outlet unit of the blowing pipe (<NUM>) and that is movable in an up-down direction, and
the first blowing port (<NUM>) and the second blowing port (<NUM>) are provided in the moving member (<NUM>).