Recording material conveying device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a recording material conveying device and an image forming device, which can reduce the state where multiple recording materials are adsorbed to the adsorption part compared with the case where air is blown onto the recording material only from the side of the recording material. A recording material conveying device includes: an adsorption part that adsorbs the recording material from below; and a blowing member that blows air onto an edge part of the recording material adsorbed to the adsorption part from a position above the adsorption part. The blowing member conveys air obliquely downward from a position above the adsorption part and away from the edge part to blow air onto the edge part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording material conveying device and an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a paper supply device including a blower that generates a vacuum pressure in an air chamber in order to suck the paper in a paper stack into contact with an air chamber and a sealing mechanism.

[0003] [Prior Art Documents]

[0004] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-19978 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] When conveying a recording material, sometimes the uppermost recording material in a bundle of recording materials is adsorbed to an adsorption portion, and one recording material is taken out.

[0008] Here, for example, when the adhesion between the recording materials is large, sometimes the lower recording materials adhere to the uppermost recording material, and multiple recording materials are adsorbed to the adsorption portion.

[0009] In order to suppress the adsorption of multiple recording materials, sometimes air is blown from the side of the recording material, but if air is blown from the side, the following situation may occur: the recording material is instead lifted, and the adsorption of multiple recording materials is not eliminated.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to reduce the state in which multiple recording materials are adsorbed to the adsorption portion as compared with the case where air is only blown toward the recording material from the side of the recording material.

[0011] [Technical Means for Solving the Problem]

[0012] The invention described in Technical Solution 1 is a recording material conveying device including: an adsorption portion that adsorbs a recording material from below; and a blowing member that blows air to an edge portion of the recording material adsorbed to the adsorption portion from a position above the adsorption portion.

[0013] The invention described in Technical Solution 2 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 1, wherein the blowing member conveys air obliquely downward from a position above and away from the edge portion of the adsorption portion, and blows air to the edge portion.

[0014] The invention described in Technical Solution 3 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 1, wherein after the air from below the adsorption part goes above the adsorption part, the air goes downward, and the air is blown toward the edge part from above the adsorption part.

[0015] The invention described in Technical Solution 4 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 3, wherein an air guiding part is provided, and the air guiding part guides the air that has gone above the adsorption part, and the air that has gone upward is guided to go downward through the air guiding part.

[0016] The invention described in Technical Solution 5 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 4, wherein a concavo-convex part is further provided, and the concavo-convex part squeezes the recording material adsorbed on the adsorption part to give a wavy shape to the edge part, and the air guiding part is arranged on the member provided with the concavo-convex part.

[0017] The invention described in Technical Solution 6 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 4, wherein the lower surface of the member provided in the recording material conveying device is used to guide the air that has gone above the adsorption part to make the air go downward.

[0018] The invention described in Technical Solution 7 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 6, wherein an inclined surface is formed on the lower surface, and the inclined surface descends as it approaches from the side away from the edge part of the recording material toward the side close to the edge part, and the air going downward is guided to the edge part through the inclined surface.

[0019] The invention described in Technical Solution 8 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 7, wherein a guiding part is provided on the lower surface on the side farther from the edge part than the inclined surface, and the guiding part guides the air that has gone above the adsorption part toward the inclined surface side.

[0020] The invention described in Technical Solution 9 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 1, wherein an air guiding part is provided, and the air guiding part guides the air that has gone above the adsorption part, and a concave part that is recessed upward is formed in the air guiding part, and the air that has gone above the adsorption part is guided through the inner surface of the concave part to make the air that has gone upward go downward, and the air that has gone downward is blown to the edge part.

[0021] The invention described in Technical Solution 10 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 9, wherein the inner surface of the concave portion is formed to be recessed upward and is given a curvature, and its cross-sectional shape is formed in an arc-drawing manner.

[0022] The invention described in Technical Solution 11 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 9, wherein at opposite positions on the inner surface of the concave portion, there are opposite members arranged with a gap between them and the inner surface.

[0023] The invention described in Technical Solution 12 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 1, wherein air is blown onto the portion of the edge portion having a corrugated shape from above the adsorption portion.

[0024] The invention described in Technical Solution 13 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 9, wherein there is also provided a discharge port that discharges the air going to the concave portion of the air guiding portion, and the width of the concave portion in the extending direction of the edge portion is equal to or greater than the width of the discharge port in the extending direction of the edge portion.

[0025] The invention described in Technical Solution 14 is a recording material conveying device, including: an adsorption portion that adsorbs the recording material from below; and a blowing member that blows air onto the edge portion of the recording material adsorbed on the adsorption portion from above the edge portion.

[0026] The invention described in Technical Solution 15 is a recording material conveying device, including: an adsorption portion that adsorbs the recording material being conveyed in one direction from below; a recording material facing surface that is located downstream of the adsorption portion in the one direction, faces downward, faces the recording material adsorbed on the adsorption portion, and a part of it is in contact with the recording material; and an air conveying member that is located below the adsorption portion, the recording material facing surface has a concavo-convex surface, and the recording material facing surface intersects with the extension line of the direction in which the air is conveyed by the conveying member.

[0027] The invention described in Technical Solution 16 is based on the recording material conveying device described in Technical Solution 15, wherein when observing the concavo-convex surface from the downstream side in the one direction, the concavo-convexities provided on the concavo-convex surface are arranged symmetrically left and right.

[0028] The invention described in Technical Solution 17 is an image forming device, including: an image forming member that forms an image on a recording material; and a recording material conveying device that conveys the recording material, and the recording material conveying device is configured to include the recording material conveying device described in any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 16.

[0029] [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to the invention of Technical Solution 1, compared with the case where air is blown toward the recording material only from the side of the recording material, the state in which multiple recording materials are adsorbed to the adsorption portion can be reduced.

[0031] According to the invention of Technical Solution 2, compared with the case where air is blown onto the edge portion directly from above the edge portion of the recording material, air can more easily enter between the recording materials adsorbed to the adsorption portion.

[0032] According to the invention of Technical Solution 3, even in a structure where an air supply source exists below the adsorption portion that adsorbs the recording material, air can be blown toward the edge portion from above the adsorption portion.

[0033] According to the invention of Technical Solution 4, air that has reached above the adsorption portion can be made to go to the lower side of the adsorption portion.

[0034] According to the invention of Technical Solution 5, compared with the case where the member provided with the uneven portion and the member provided with the air guiding portion are provided individually, reduction in the number of parts can be achieved.

[0035] According to the invention of Technical Solution 6, the air that has reached above the adsorption portion can be made to go to the lower side of the adsorption portion by using the lower surface of the member of the recording material conveying device.

[0036] According to the invention of Technical Solution 7, compared with the case where air is made to go downward by using a pipe, air can be made to go downward with a simpler structure.

[0037] According to the invention of Technical Solution 8, the air that has reached above can be made to go to the inclined surface.

[0038] According to the invention of Technical Solution 9, compared with the case where air is made to go downward by using a tubular member such as a pipe, air can be made to go downward with a simpler structure.

[0039] According to the invention of Technical Solution 10, compared with the case where the inner surface of the concave portion is not given a curvature, the flow of air can be made smoother.

[0040] According to the invention of Technical Solution 11, compared with the case where the opposing member is not provided, the flow of air can be made smoother.

[0041] According to the invention of Technical Solution 12, compared with the case where air is blown onto a portion of the edge portion of the recording material that does not have a corrugated shape, the state in which multiple recording materials are adsorbed to the adsorption portion can be reduced.

[0042] According to the invention of Technical Solution 13, compared with the case where the width of the concave portion in the extending direction of the edge portion is smaller than the width of the discharge port in the extending direction of the edge portion, the amount of air blown to the edge portion can be increased.

[0043] According to the invention of Technical Solution 14, compared with the case where air is blown toward the recording material only from the side of the recording material, the state where multiple recording materials are adsorbed to the adsorption portion can be reduced.

[0044] According to the invention of Technical Solution 15, compared with the case where air is blown toward the recording material only from the side of the recording material, the state where multiple recording materials are adsorbed to the adsorption portion can be reduced.

[0045] According to the invention of Technical Solution 16, compared with the case where the unevenness provided on the uneven surface is set to be asymmetrical left and right, the unevenness can be more simply provided on the surface facing the recording material.

[0046] According to the invention of Technical Solution 17, compared with the case where air is blown toward the recording material only from the side of the recording material, the state where multiple recording materials are adsorbed to the adsorption portion can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram showing an image forming apparatus.

[0048] Figure 2 of (A) to Figure 2 of (D) is a view for explaining a paper feeding portion.

[0049] Figure 3 is from Figure 2 A perspective view of the suction portion when viewed from the direction of arrow III in (A) of.

[0050] Figure 4 is from Figure 2 A view of the paper loading portion etc. when viewed from the direction of arrow IV in (A) of.

[0051] Figure 5 A side sectional view of the suction portion etc. when the suction portion is viewed from the side of the suction portion.

[0052] Figure 6 is a view for explaining the concave portion.

[0053] Figure 7 is from Figure 2 A view when looking at the suction portion from the direction of arrow VII in (B) of.

[0054] Figure 8 is Figure 5 A sectional view of the suction portion and the air supply portion along line VIII-VIII of.

[0055] Figure 9 (A) of Figure 9 Figure (B) shows another structural example of the concave portion.

[0056] Figure 10 Figure shows another structural example of the paper feeding section.

[0057] [Description of Signs]

[0058] 1: Image forming apparatus

[0059] 1A: Image forming section

[0060] 1B: Paper conveyance device

[0061] 2G: Front edge portion

[0062] 101X: Lower surface

[0063] 120: Air guide member

[0064] 121: Concavo-convex portion

[0065] 123: Air guide section

[0066] 124: Concave portion

[0067] 124A: Inner surface

[0068] 142: Inclined surface

[0069] 143: Guide section

[0070] 150: Air supply section

[0071] 152A: Discharge port

[0072] 180: Opposing member

[0073] P: Paper Detailed Description of the Invention

[0074] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] Figure 1 Figure is a schematic structural diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Figure 1 The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure is an image forming apparatus 1 of an intermediate transfer type called a tandem type. In the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming section 1A for forming an image on a paper P as an example of a recording material is provided. Further, a paper conveyance device 1B for sequentially feeding and conveying the paper P loaded on a paper loading section 53 is provided.

[0077] In an image forming unit 1A, which is an example of an image forming member, a plurality of image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are provided for forming toner images of respective color components by an electrophotographic method.

[0078] In addition, in the image forming unit 1A, a primary transfer unit 10 is provided for sequentially transferring (primary transfer) the toner images of respective color components formed by the respective image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to an intermediate transfer belt 15. In addition, in the image forming unit 1A, a secondary transfer unit 20 is provided for transferring (secondary transfer) the overlapping toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 to a sheet P all at once.

[0079] In addition, in the image forming apparatus 1, a fixing device 60 is provided for fixing the toner image secondarily transferred onto the sheet P onto the sheet P.

[0080] Furthermore, a control unit 40 for controlling the operations of the respective devices (each part) and a user interface (UI) 70 including a display panel and the like are provided. The UI 70 receives information from the user and displays information to the user.

[0081] The following devices are provided in each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0082] First, around a photosensitive drum 11 rotating in the direction of arrow A, a charger 12 for charging the photosensitive drum 11 is provided. In addition, an exposure device 13 for writing an electrostatic latent image onto the photosensitive drum 11 is provided. Furthermore, a developing device 14 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 with toner is provided.

[0083] In addition, in each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, a primary transfer roller 16 for transferring the toner image of each color component formed on the photosensitive drum 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer unit 10 is provided.

[0084] In addition, in each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, a drum cleaner 17 for removing residual toner and the like on the photosensitive drum 11 is provided.

[0085] The intermediate transfer belt 15 circulates and moves in the direction of arrow B shown in Figure 1 at a predetermined speed.

[0086] The primary transfer unit 10 includes a primary transfer roller 16 disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the toner images on the respective photosensitive drums 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15, and an overlapping toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0088] The secondary transfer unit 20 includes a secondary transfer roller 22 disposed facing the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a support roller 25.

[0089] The secondary transfer roller 22 is pressed against the support roller 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. Further, a voltage is applied between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the support roller 25, and the toner image is secondarily transferred onto the sheet P conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20.

[0090] In the present embodiment, image data is output from an image reading device (not shown), a personal computer (PC), or the like to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0091] Moreover, the image data is subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown) to generate four-color image data of Y, M, C, and K, and the image data is output to the exposure devices 13 provided for respective colors of Y, M, C, and K.

[0092] In the exposure device 13, the exposure light beam Bm emitted from, for example, a semiconductor laser is irradiated onto the photosensitive drums 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K corresponding to the input image data.

[0093] In each photosensitive drum 11, after the surface is charged by the charger 12, the surface is scanned and exposed by the exposure device 13 to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0094] Moreover, after a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by the developing device 14, the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer unit 10 where the photosensitive drum 11 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0095] After the toner images are successively primary transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20 by the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0096] In the secondary transfer unit 20, the secondary transfer roller 22 is pressed by the support roller 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. The sheet P conveyed from the sheet loading unit 53 is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roller 22.

[0097] Thus, the unfixed toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred onto the sheet P all at once in the secondary transfer unit 20.

[0098] Thereafter, the sheet P with the transferred toner image passes through the fixing device 60 and is discharged to a sheet discharge unit (not shown).

[0099] Here, the conveyance of the sheet P from the sheet loading unit 53 through the secondary transfer unit 20 and the fixing device 60 to the sheet discharge unit is performed by a sheet conveyance device 1B which is an example of a recording material conveyance device.

[0100] In the sheet conveyance device 1B, a sheet discharge unit 1C for discharging the uppermost sheet P among the sheets P loaded in the sheet loading unit 53 is provided.

[0101] Furthermore, in the sheet conveyance device 1B, a plurality of conveyance rollers 52 for conveying the sheet P discharged by the sheet discharge unit 1C are provided.

[0102] Each of the conveyance rollers 52 includes: a drive roller 52A that rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown); and a driven roller 52B that is disposed in contact with the drive roller 52A and rotates by receiving the driving force from the drive roller 52A.

[0103] In the present embodiment, the sheet P discharged by the sheet discharge unit 1C is first conveyed by the conveyance roller 52 (hereinafter referred to as "uppermost conveyance roller 52E") that is located on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet P among the plurality of conveyance rollers 52.

[0104] Then, the sheet P is further conveyed by other conveyance rollers 52 located on the downstream side compared to the uppermost conveyance roller 52E and travels to the secondary transfer unit 20 and the fixing device 60.

[0105] In addition, a conveyance belt 55 is further provided in the sheet conveyance device 1B.

[0106] The conveyance belt 55 is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet P compared to the secondary transfer roller 22 and conveys the sheet P that has undergone secondary transfer toward the fixing device 60.

[0107] Figure 2 of (A) to Figure 2 of (D) are diagrams illustrating the sheet discharge unit 1C. Figure 3 is from Figure 2 a perspective view when observing the suction unit 100 (described later) from the direction of arrow III in (A).

[0108] As Figure 2 shown in (A) of, in the sheet discharge unit 1C, a suction unit 100 for sucking the sheet P loaded in the sheet loading unit 53 is provided. Furthermore, a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the suction unit 100 in the direction indicated by arrow 2A in the figure is provided.

[0109] Here, the moving mechanism may include known mechanisms such as a motor, gears, a rack, pinions, and a belt drive, and is not limited to a specific mechanism.

[0110] In the present embodiment, the suction unit 100 is moved by a moving mechanism in the directions of the arrow 2A, i.e., forward toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E and away from the most upstream conveying roller 52E.

[0111] For additional explanation, in the present embodiment, the suction unit 100 is moved by a moving mechanism from above the paper bundle 54 in the direction forward toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E. Further, in the present embodiment, the suction unit 100 that has been moved toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side is moved toward the paper bundle 54 side and returns above the paper bundle 54.

[0112] As Figure 2 shown in (A) of, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped device body 101 and a plurality of moving members 102 provided in a state of hanging down from the device body 101 are provided in the suction unit 100.

[0113] A suction tube (not shown) is connected to the device body 101. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the paper P is sucked by the device body 101.

[0114] The moving member 102 is formed in a plate shape and is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0115] As Figure 3 shown, in the present embodiment, as the moving member 102, a first front-end side moving member 102A, a second front-end side moving member 102B, a first rear-end side moving member 102C, a second rear-end side moving member 102D, a first right-side moving member 102E, a second right-side moving member 102F, a first left-side moving member 102G, and a second left-side moving member 102H are provided.

[0116] In the present embodiment, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped reduced-pressure space 105 located below the device body 101 and the atmospheric pressure space 106 located around the reduced-pressure space 105 are separated by the eight moving members 102.

[0117] In the present embodiment, the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space surrounded by the eight moving members 102 becomes the reduced-pressure space 105. In addition, the space located outside the reduced-pressure space 105 becomes the atmospheric pressure space 106 that becomes atmospheric pressure.

[0118] More specifically, in the present embodiment, a plurality of holes 101Y are formed in the lower surface 101X of the device body 101, and the air in the reduced-pressure space 105 is sucked through the holes 101Y. As a result, the pressure in the reduced-pressure space 105 becomes smaller than the atmospheric pressure.

[0119] In the present embodiment, if the air in the reduced-pressure space 105 is sucked and the pressure of the reduced-pressure space 105 becomes smaller, then asFigure 2 as shown in (A) of Figure 2 as shown in (B) of Figure 2 below the reduced-pressure space 105, the sheet P is attracted and the sheet P moves toward the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101 (see

[0120] Moreover, the sheet P adheres to the lower surface 101X which is an example of the adsorption portion. In other words, in the present embodiment, the sheet P is adsorbed on the lower surface 101X. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the sheet P is adsorbed on the lower surface 101X from below.

[0121] Here, the lower surface 101X which is an example of the adsorption portion becomes a flat surface. In the present embodiment, the adsorption portion is a planar adsorption portion, and the sheet P is adsorbed on the planar adsorption portion. In other words, in the present embodiment, the sheet P is adsorbed on the adsorption surface.

[0122] In the present embodiment, when the sheet P is adsorbed on the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101, Figure 3 the eight moving members 102 shown in Figure 2 move upward from the state shown in (A) of Figure 2 and the eight moving members 102 become the state shown in (B) of

[0123] To add an explanation, in the present embodiment, when the sheet P is adsorbed on the Figure 3 lower surface 101X shown in

[0124] the eight moving members 102 are pressed from below by the sheet P located below and move upward. Moreover, if the eight moving members 102 move upward, the sheet P is adsorbed on the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101. Figure 2 In addition, in the present embodiment, in the state where the sheet P is adsorbed on the lower surface 101X, as shown by the arrow 2F in (B) of

[0125] To add an explanation, in the present embodiment, air is blown onto the edge portion 2G of the sheet P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X from a position above the lower surface 101X.

[0126] More specifically, in the present embodiment, Figure 2 the edge portion 2G shown in (B) of

[0127] In addition, in the present embodiment, the case of blowing air to the front edge portion 2G is taken as an example for description, but air may be blown from above to an edge portion other than the front edge portion 2G.

[0128] Thereafter, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 (C) thereof, the attracting portion 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E, and supplies the sheet P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101 to the most upstream conveying roller 52E.

[0129] Thereby, the conveyance of the sheet P by the most upstream conveying roller 52E is started.

[0130] For additional explanation, in the present embodiment, the attracting portion 100 moves in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side.

[0131] Thereby, the sheet P attached to the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101 is supplied to the most upstream conveying roller 52E, and the conveyance of the sheet P by the most upstream conveying roller 52E is started.

[0132] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the attracting portion 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side, as shown in Figure 2 (C) thereof, the first front-end side moving member 102A and the second front-end side moving member 102B reach a position outside the outer peripheral edge 104 of the sheet bundle 54.

[0133] For additional explanation, in the present embodiment, when the attracting portion 100 and the sheet bundle 54 are viewed from above, the first front-end side moving member 102A and the second front-end side moving member 102B reach a position outside the outer peripheral edge 104 of the sheet bundle 54.

[0134] More specifically, in the present embodiment, at the outer peripheral edge 104 of the sheet bundle 54, there is a front-end side outer peripheral edge 104A as described later.

[0135] In the present embodiment, when the attracting portion 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side, as shown in Figure 2 (C) thereof, the first front-end side moving member 102A and the second front-end side moving member 102B reach a position exceeding the front-end side outer peripheral edge 104A.

[0136] Thereafter, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 (D) thereof, the attracting portion 100 returns toward the sheet bundle 54 side, and a state where the attracting portion 100 is again located above the sheet bundle 54 is established.

[0137] Figure 4 It is from Figure 2View of the paper loading section 53 etc. when observing in the direction of arrow IV of (A). If additional explanation is added, then Figure 4 View of the paper loading section 53 etc. when observing from above.

[0138] As Figure 4 shown, in the present embodiment, a paper bundle 54 in which a plurality of sheets of paper P are arranged in the thickness direction of the paper P is provided in the paper loading section 53. The paper bundle 54 and each sheet of paper P included in the paper bundle 54 have a rectangular outer peripheral edge 104.

[0139] The rectangular outer peripheral edge 104 includes a front-end side outer peripheral edge 104A, a rear-end side outer peripheral edge 104B, a first side outer peripheral edge 104C, and a second side outer peripheral edge 104D.

[0140] The front-end side outer peripheral edge 104A is the outer peripheral edge 104 located on the most downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P. The front-end side outer peripheral edge 104A extends along a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0141] The rear-end side outer peripheral edge 104B is the outer peripheral edge 104 located on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P. The rear-end side outer peripheral edge 104B also extends along a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0142] The first side outer peripheral edge 104C is the outer peripheral edge 104 that connects one end of the front-end side outer peripheral edge 104A and one end of the rear-end side outer peripheral edge 104B. The first side outer peripheral edge 104C extends along the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0143] The second side outer peripheral edge 104D is the outer peripheral edge 104 that connects the other end of the front-end side outer peripheral edge 104A and the other end of the rear-end side outer peripheral edge 104B. The second side outer peripheral edge 104D also extends along the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0144] Here, when sucking the paper P, as indicated by the symbol 4A in Figure 4 , the apparatus main body 101 of the suction unit 100 is located more inside than the outer peripheral edge 104 of the paper bundle 54. Moreover, when supplying the paper P to the most upstream conveyance roller 52E, as indicated by the arrow 2B, the suction unit 100 moves toward the most upstream conveyance roller 52E.

[0145] At this time, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first front-end side moving member 102A and the second front-end side moving member 102B (refer to Figure 3 ) reach a position exceeding the front-end side outer peripheral edge 104A of the paper bundle 54.

[0146] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as Figure 4As shown, a plurality of openings 4X are provided on the side of the paper bundle 54. In the present embodiment, air is conveyed from the openings 4X toward the paper bundle 54, and air is also blown from the side of the paper bundle 54.

[0147] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the driving roller 52A and the driven roller 52B of the most upstream conveying roller 52E each include a rotating shaft 52X and a plurality of cylindrical members 52Y mounted around the rotating shaft 52X.

[0148] In the present embodiment, when the attracting portion 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side, the attracting portion 100 enters between the two cylindrical members 52Y, and interference between the attracting portion 100 and the most upstream conveying roller 52E does not occur.

[0149] Refer again to Figure 3 The structure of the attracting portion 100 will be further described.

[0150] As described above, the device body 101 is provided in the attracting portion 100. An air guiding member 120 for guiding air is mounted on the device body 101.

[0151] In the air guiding member 120, there is provided an uneven portion 121 for imparting a wavy shape to the front edge portion 2G of the paper P (refer to Figure 2 of (B)).

[0152] The uneven portion 121 is arranged so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the paper P. If additional explanation is made, the uneven portion 121 is arranged so as to extend along the front edge portion 2G of the paper P.

[0153] In the present embodiment, when the paper P is in a state of being adsorbed on the lower surface 101X of the device body 101, the front edge portion 2G of the paper P is pressed by the uneven portion 121, and a wavy shape is imparted to the front edge portion 2G.

[0154] Furthermore, in the air guiding member 120, on the lower surface 101X side compared with the uneven portion 121, there is provided an attracting opening 122 for further attracting the paper P attached to the lower surface 101X.

[0155] Furthermore, in the air guiding member 120, there is provided an air guiding portion 123 for guiding the air blown to the front edge portion 2G.

[0156] In the present embodiment, as will be described later, an air supply source such as a fan is provided below the lower surface 101X which is the adsorption portion. In the present embodiment, air is temporarily supplied from below the lower surface 101X toward above the lower surface 101X.

[0157] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the air supplied upward is guided by the air guiding portion 123 to direct the air downward.

[0158] In the present embodiment, the air guiding member 120 is provided with the uneven portion 121 and the air guiding portion 123. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the air guiding portion 123 is provided on the air guiding member 120 which is the member provided with the uneven portion 121.

[0159] Additionally, in the present embodiment, the uneven portion 121 and the air guiding portion 123 are provided on the same member, namely the air guiding member 120.

[0160] A concave portion 124 that is recessed upward is formed in the air guiding portion 123.

[0161] More specifically, on the lower surface 123A of the air guiding portion 123, a concave portion 124 that is recessed upward is formed. The concave portion 124 is formed in a groove shape. Furthermore, as Figure 4 shown, the concave portion 124 is provided along the direction in which the leading edge portion 2G of the paper P extends.

[0162] More specifically, in the present embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, a rectangular opening 125 is formed on the lower surface 123A of the air guiding portion 123 (refer to Figure 3 ), and as Figure 3 shown, a concave portion 124 that is recessed upward is provided above (vertically above) the opening 125.

[0163] In the present embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, an opening edge 126 that surrounds the opening 125 exists around the opening 125. The opening edge 126 is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0164] As Figure 4 shown, the opening edge 126 includes a paper-side opening edge 126A, a opposite-side opening edge 126B, and two connecting opening edges 126C.

[0165] The paper-side opening edge 126A is arranged along the leading edge portion 2G of the paper P.

[0166] The opposite-side opening edge 126B is located on the side opposite to the leading edge portion 2G side of the paper P with the paper-side opening edge 126A interposed therebetween. The opposite-side opening edge 126B is also arranged along the leading edge portion 2G of the paper P.

[0167] One of the connecting opening edges 126C that connect the two connecting opening edges 126C connects one end of the paper-side opening edge 126A to one end of the opposite-side opening edge 126B.

[0168] The other connecting opening edge 126C connects the other end of the paper-side opening edge 126A to the other end of the opposite-side opening edge 126B.

[0169] Figure 5 It is a side sectional view of the suction part etc. when observing the suction part 100 from the side of the suction part 100.

[0170] Although not described in the above, in the present embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, an air supply part 150 for supplying air blown to the front edge part 2G is provided.

[0171] In the air supply part 150, an air supply source 151 such as a fan and a pipe 152 for guiding the air sent out by the air supply source 151 obliquely upward are provided.

[0172] The air supply source 151 and the pipe 152 are located below the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101.

[0173] At the front end part of the pipe 152, a discharge port 152A for discharging the air going to the recess 124 provided in the air guide member 120 is provided.

[0174] In addition, in the pipe 152, a first inner wall surface 152C and a second inner wall surface 152D arranged facing each other are provided. Further, a third inner wall surface 152E and a fourth inner wall surface (not shown) connecting the first inner wall surface 152C and the second inner wall surface 152D are provided. In the present embodiment, the first inner wall surface 152C is closer to the paper P side than the second inner wall surface 152D.

[0175] In the present embodiment, as shown by the arrow 5A, the air from below the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101 goes above the lower surface 101X, and then the air goes downward, and the air is blown to the front edge part 2G from above the lower surface 101X.

[0176] If additional explanation is added, in the present embodiment, the air from below the extension surface 5X of the lower surface 101X goes above the extension surface 5X, and then the air goes below the extension surface 5X, and the air is blown to the front edge part 2G.

[0177] In other words, in the present embodiment, air is guided by the tube 152. The air temporarily goes upward and then goes downward. Further, in the present embodiment, the air that has gone downward is blown to the front edge portion 2G of the sheet P.

[0178] For additional explanation, in the present embodiment, the lower surface 123A of the air guiding member 120, which is a member provided in the sheet conveying device 1B (refer to Figure 1 ), is used to make the air from below the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101 go downward. Further, the air that has gone downward is blown to the front edge portion 2G of the sheet P.

[0179] In addition, in the present embodiment, a discharge port 152A is provided below the contact portion 52S between the driving roller 52A and the driven roller 52B of the most upstream conveying roller 52E.

[0180] For additional explanation, in the present embodiment, the air that has passed through the tube 152 is discharged from the discharge port 152A located at the front end of the tube 152, and the discharge port 152A is located below the contact portion 52S between the driving roller 52A and the driven roller 52B.

[0181] In addition, in the present embodiment, the tube 152 that guides the air going upward is configured not to cross the conveyance path R100 of the sheet P. For additional explanation, in the present embodiment, the discharge port 152A of the tube 152 is located below the conveyance path R100 of the sheet P.

[0182] Thus, in the present embodiment, only the air crosses the conveyance path R100 of the sheet P. For additional explanation, in the present embodiment, the tube 152 does not cross the conveyance path R100 of the sheet P, and only the air blown to the front edge portion 2G crosses the conveyance path R100 of the sheet.

[0183] Further, in the present embodiment, the air that has crossed the conveyance path R100 goes to the concave portion 124. Further, the air is guided by the concave portion 124, and the guided air is blown to the front edge portion 2G.

[0184] Here, in the present embodiment, when blowing air from the upper side toward the front edge portion 2G, as shown by the arrow 5H, the air is conveyed obliquely downward, and the air that has been conveyed obliquely downward is blown to the front edge portion 2G.

[0185] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the air is conveyed obliquely downward from a position above the front edge portion 2G of the sheet P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X and from a side away from the front edge portion 2G, and the air is blown to the front edge portion 2G.

[0186] More specifically, in the present embodiment, air is conveyed obliquely downward and toward the front edge portion 2G from a side opposite to the side where the lower surface 101X is provided and from a position above the lower surface 101X across the front edge portion 2G of the uppermost sheet P, and air is blown against the front edge portion 2G of the sheet P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X.

[0187] Thus, if air is conveyed obliquely downward, as shown by the arrow 5H, air is more likely to enter between the sheets P compared to the case where air is conveyed directly downward, and the second and subsequent sheets P attached to the uppermost sheet P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X are more likely to be detached from the uppermost sheet P.

[0188] If additional explanation is provided, if air is conveyed obliquely downward, air is more likely to enter between the plurality of sheets P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X compared to the case where air is blown from directly above the front edge portion 2G toward the front edge portion 2G.

[0189] In this case, the second and subsequent sheets P attached to the uppermost sheet P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X are likely to be detached from the uppermost sheet P.

[0190] Here, in the present embodiment, when conveying the sheet P loaded in the sheet loading unit 53, first, as Figure 2 shown in (A) of Figure 2 and (B) of

[0191] the uppermost sheet P in the sheet bundle 54 is adsorbed on the suction unit 100 to take out one sheet P.

[0192] If additional explanation is provided, the sheet P located at the top of the sheet bundle 54 is adsorbed on the suction unit 100 to take out one sheet P.

[0193] Thereafter, in the present embodiment, the suction unit 100 in the state of adsorbing the sheet P moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side and supplies the sheet P adsorbed on the suction unit 100 to the most upstream conveying roller 52E.

[0194] In addition, in the present embodiment, when taking out the sheet P (when the sheet P is adsorbed by the suction unit 100), the suction unit 100 does not move up and down. However, it is not limited thereto, and when taking out the sheet P, the suction unit 100 may be lowered, and when the sheet P is attached to the suction unit 100, the suction unit 100 may be raised.

[0195] In the present embodiment, in order to suppress the occurrence of the overlapping conveyance, as described above, air is blown onto the front edge portion 2G from above. As a result, the sheets P after the second sheet attached to the uppermost sheet P are likely to be detached from the uppermost sheet P.

[0196] For additional explanation, in the present embodiment, the blowing member is constituted by the air supply unit 150 and the air guide member 120, and the blowing member is used to blow air onto the front edge portion 2G from a position above the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101.

[0197] As a result, the sheets P after the second sheet attached to the uppermost sheet P are likely to be detached from the uppermost sheet P, thereby suppressing the occurrence of the overlapping conveyance.

[0198] In addition, the form of "blowing air onto the front edge portion 2G from a position above the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101" includes a form of blowing air onto the front edge portion 2G from a position above the extended surface of the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101.

[0199] Here, in the present embodiment, in order to suppress the adsorption of the sheets P between the sheets P, as Figure 4 shown, air is also blown onto the sheet bundle 54 from the side of the sheet bundle 54.

[0200] Here, if air is blown from the side of the sheet bundle 54, the sheets P float and move upward, and the sheets P after the second sheet are likely to adhere to the uppermost sheet P adsorbed by the suction portion 100.

[0201] In contrast, if air is blown from above as in the present embodiment, the air easily enters between the uppermost sheet P and the sheets P after the second sheet, and the sheets P after the second sheet are likely to be detached from the uppermost sheet P.

[0202] For additional explanation, if air is blown from above in addition to the blowing of air from the side as in the present embodiment, the sheets P after the second sheet are more likely to be detached from the uppermost sheet P than in the case where only air is blown from the side.

[0203] In addition, in the present embodiment, the case of blowing air from both the side and above has been described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, air may not be blown from the side or the blowing of air from the side may be interrupted, and only air may be blown from above.

[0204] Here, in the present embodiment, when the suction portion 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E, the air supply by the air supply unit 150 is also performed.

[0205] If additional explanation is needed, in this embodiment, the structure is such that the air supply by the air supply unit 150 is constantly carried out, and when the suction unit 100 moves, the air supply by the air supply unit 150 is also carried out.

[0206] In addition, without being limited thereto, when the suction unit 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E, the air supply by the air supply unit 150 may be stopped or the air volume of the air supplied by the air supply unit 150 may be decreased.

[0207] If further explanation is made, in this embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, on the more downstream side in one direction than the lower surface 101X which is an example of the adsorption part, a paper-facing surface 700 facing the paper P is provided on the apparatus main body 101.

[0208] More specifically, in this embodiment, the paper P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X is conveyed in one direction shown by the arrow 5T in Figure 5 , but in the said one direction, a downward-facing paper-facing surface 700 is provided on the more downstream side than the lower surface 101X.

[0209] In this embodiment, a part of the paper P contacts the downward-facing paper-facing surface 700. More specifically, in this embodiment, uneven parts 121 and recessed parts 124 are provided on the paper-facing surface 700, and the paper P contacts the part (the part provided with the uneven surface) of the paper-facing surface 700 where the uneven parts 121 are provided.

[0210] In addition, in this embodiment, a part of the downward-facing paper-facing surface 700 faces the paper P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X. More specifically, the part (the part provided with the uneven surface) of the paper-facing surface 700 where the uneven parts 121 are provided faces the paper P.

[0211] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an air supply unit 150 which is an example of an air conveying member is provided below the lower surface 101X, and the air is conveyed obliquely upward through the air supply unit 150.

[0212] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the structure is such that the paper-facing surface 700 intersects with the extension line of the direction in which the air is conveyed by the air supply unit 150.

[0213] Here, the so-called paper-facing surface 700 intersects with the extension line of the direction in which the air is conveyed by the air supply unit 150 means the state where the paper-facing surface 700 intersects with the extension line of the central axis 152X of the pipe 152 extending along the axial direction of the pipe 152.

[0214] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as Figure 7 shown, when observing the uneven portion (uneven surface) 121 from the downstream side in the one direction, the unevenness is set to be left-right symmetric.

[0215] If additional explanation is provided, when imagining an object axis PC passing through the central portion in the width direction of the paper P and extending in the vertical direction, in the present embodiment, the uneven portion (uneven surface) 121 is formed in a line-symmetric relationship with the object axis PC as the center.

[0216] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, an uneven portion 121 and an air guiding portion 123 are provided in one air guiding member 120, and further, the air guiding member 120 is mounted on the apparatus main body 101, and a structure in which the uneven portion 121 and the air guiding portion 123 are integrated with the apparatus main body 101 is described.

[0217] However, it is not limited thereto, and the air guiding member 120 may be separately provided from the apparatus main body 101. If additional explanation is provided, the air guiding member 120 may also be provided in a state separated from the apparatus main body 101.

[0218] In addition, a part of the air guiding portion 123 may be separately provided from the uneven portion 121. If additional explanation is provided, a part of the air guiding portion 123 may also be provided in a state separated from the apparatus main body 101 and the uneven portion 121.

[0219] With reference to Figure 5 , the air guiding member 120 will be further described.

[0220] As Figure 5 shown, in the air guiding member 120, an attracting opening 122 for further attracting the paper P after the paper P adheres to the lower surface 101X is provided closer to the lower surface 101X side than the uneven portion 121.

[0221] In the present embodiment, when the paper P has been adsorbed on the lower surface 101X, the attraction of the paper P using the attracting opening 122 is started.

[0222] In the present embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, a connection passage 129 connecting the attracting opening 122 to the inside of the apparatus main body 101 is provided, and the inside of the connection passage 129 is depressurized. In addition, as Figure 3 shown, the connection passage 129 is formed such that its width (width in the direction in which the front edge portion 2G extends) gradually expands as it goes downward.

[0223] In the present embodiment, during the period before the sheet P adheres to the lower surface 101X, a gap is formed between the sheet P and the suction opening 122, and suction of the sheet P through the suction opening 122 is not performed.

[0224] Moreover, when the sheet P is adsorbed to the lower surface 101X, the gap between the sheet P and the suction opening 122 disappears, and the sheet P is suctioned through the suction opening 122.

[0225] Moreover, when the sheet P is suctioned through the suction opening 122, the front edge portion 2G of the sheet P is urged by the uneven portion 121, and the front edge portion 2G is pressed by the uneven portion 121. As a result, an uneven shape is imparted to the front edge portion 2G. In other words, a corrugated shape (described later) is imparted to the front edge portion 2G.

[0226] Figure 6 It is a diagram for explaining the concave portion 124.

[0227] In the present embodiment, as described above, a concave portion 124 that is recessed upward is formed in the air guiding portion 123. As described above, the concave portion 124 is formed in a groove shape and is arranged along the extending direction of the front edge portion 2G of the sheet P.

[0228] In the present embodiment, the air is guided by the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124, and the air is blown to the front edge portion 2G.

[0229] Here, the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124 is formed to be recessed upward and is given a curvature, and its cross-sectional shape is formed in an arc-drawing manner.

[0230] If additional explanation is provided, in the cross-section of the plane orthogonal to the extending direction of the front edge portion 2G, in the present embodiment, the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124 is formed to be recessed upward and is given a curvature, and its cross-sectional shape is formed in an arc-drawing manner.

[0231] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124 becomes the same as the shape of the line segment constituting the ellipse, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be set to be the same as the shape of the line segment constituting the perfect circle, or may be set to a V shape as described later.

[0232] Here, in the present embodiment, an inclined surface 142 is provided on the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124, and the inclined surface 142 descends as it approaches from the side away from the front edge portion 2G of the sheet P toward the side closer to the front edge portion 2G.

[0233] If additional explanation is needed, in the present embodiment, an inclined surface 142 is provided on the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124. The inclined surface 142 descends as it advances toward the outer peripheral edge 104 side from a position more outside the outer peripheral edge 104 (refer to Figure 4 ) of the uppermost sheet P and away from the outer peripheral edge 104 side.

[0234] If additional explanation is needed, in the present embodiment, an inclined surface 142 that descends as it advances toward the outer peripheral edge 104 side is formed on a part of the lower surface 123A of the air guiding member 120.

[0235] In the present embodiment, the air going downward is guided by the inclined surface 142, and the air going downward is blown toward the front edge portion 2G.

[0236] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, a part of the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124 functions as a guiding portion 143.

[0237] The guiding portion 143 is located on the side opposite to the side where the front edge portion 2G is located, with the inclined surface 142 therebetween. If additional explanation is needed, the guiding portion 143 is located on the side farther from the front edge portion 2G than the inclined surface 142.

[0238] The guiding portion 143 guides the air that has gone above the lower surface 101X of the device body 101 toward the inclined surface 142 side. If additional explanation is needed, the guiding portion 143 guides the air conveyed from below toward the inclined surface 142 side.

[0239] The guiding portion 143 is inclined so as to approach the inclined surface 142 side as it goes upward, and the guiding portion 143 guides the air from below toward the inclined surface 142 side by virtue of the inclination given to itself.

[0240] In addition, in the present embodiment, when imagining a virtual plane (hereinafter referred to as “second virtual plane 6X”) passing through the second inner wall surface 152D of the tube 152, the second virtual plane 6X passes through the opposite side opening edge 126B.

[0241] In addition, without being limited thereto, the second inner wall surface 152D can also be provided in such a way that the second virtual plane 6X passes between the opposite side opening edge 126B and the bottom 124S of the concave portion 124 (the lowermost part among the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124).

[0242] By making the second virtual plane 6X pass through the opposite side opening edge 126B or between the opposite side opening edge 126B and the bottom 124S, the amount of air going to a part other than the concave portion 124 is reduced as compared with the case where the second virtual plane 6X passes through a part represented by the symbol 6Z, for example.

[0243] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when imagining a virtual plane (hereinafter referred to as "first virtual plane 6Y") passing through the first inner wall surface 152C of the tube 152, the first virtual plane 6Y passes through the bottom 124S of the recess 124.

[0244] In addition, without being limited thereto, the first inner wall surface 152C can also be arranged in such a way that the first virtual plane 6Y passes between the bottom 124S and the opposite-side opening edge 126B and passes through a side closer to the bottom 124S than the second virtual plane 6X.

[0245] Figure 7 is from Figure 2 The figure when looking at the suction part 100 in the direction of arrow VII in (B).

[0246] In the present embodiment, as shown by arrow 7A, air is blown from the upper side of the front edge part 2G toward the front edge part 2G, but the air is blown to the part of the front edge part 2G having a corrugated shape.

[0247] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the front edge part 2G of the paper P is pressed by the uneven part 121, thereby giving the front edge part 2G of the paper P a corrugated shape.

[0248] In the present embodiment, air is blown from the upper side to the part having the corrugated shape.

[0249] Thereby, compared with the case where air is blown to the part of the paper P not having a corrugated shape, air easily enters between the paper P adsorbed at the uppermost position of the suction part 100 and the papers P after the second paper attached to the uppermost paper P.

[0250] Moreover, in this case, the papers P after the second paper are easily separated from the uppermost paper P which is the first paper P.

[0251] Here, the so-called "corrugated shape" means a shape in which one convex part protruding from one side of the paper P toward the other side and in the thickness direction of the paper P and another convex part protruding from the other side of the paper P toward the one side and in the thickness direction of the paper P are alternately arranged in the extending direction of the front edge part 2G.

[0252] Here, the number of one convex part and the other convex part is not particularly limited, and the case where one convex part and the other convex part are respectively provided with one and the one convex part and the other convex part are adjacent to each other can also be said to be a state of being given a corrugated shape.

[0253] Figure 8 is Figure 5Cross-sectional view of the suction part 100 and the air supply part 150 in the VIII-VIII line.

[0254] In the present embodiment, the width L1 of the concave portion 124 formed in the air guiding portion 123 is equal to the width L2 of the discharge port 152A provided at the front end of the pipe 152.

[0255] For additional explanation, when comparing the widths in the direction in which the front edge portion 2G (refer to Figure 4 ) extends, the width L1 of the concave portion 124 formed in the air guiding portion 123 is equal to the width L2 of the discharge port 152A provided at the front end of the pipe 152.

[0256] In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the width L1 of the concave portion 124 formed in the air guiding portion 123 is equal to the width L2 of the discharge port 152A provided at the front end of the pipe 152 has been described, but it is also possible to make the width L1 of the concave portion 124 formed in the air guiding portion 123 larger than the width L2 of the discharge port 152A provided at the front end of the pipe 152.

[0257] Here, when the width L1 of the concave portion 124 formed in the air guiding portion 123 is equal to or greater than the width L2 of the discharge port 152A provided at the front end of the pipe 152, more air goes to the front edge portion 2G compared to the case where the width L1 of the concave portion 124 formed in the air guiding portion 123 is smaller than the width L2 of the discharge port 152A provided at the front end of the pipe 152, and more air is blown to the front edge portion 2G.

[0258] In addition, in the present embodiment, three rib members RB are provided on the first inner wall surface 152C along the air flow direction.

[0259] Both of the rib members RB at both ends among the three rib members RB approach the center portion in the width direction of the concave portion 124 as they go downstream in the air flow direction.

[0260] Thus, in the present embodiment, more air goes to the concave portion 124 compared to the case where RB is not provided.

[0261] Figure 9 of (A), Figure 9 of (B) are diagrams showing other structural examples of the concave portion 124.

[0262] In the above, the case where the inner surface 124A is given a curvature has been described. However, it is not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 9 of (A), the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124 may be V-shaped.

[0263] In Figure 9In this structural example shown in (A), on the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124, a slanted surface 142 that descends as it goes toward the front edge portion 2G side is provided in the same manner as described above. Here, the slanted surface 142 has no curvature and is a flat surface.

[0264] In addition, in this structural example, in the same manner as described above, a guide portion 143 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the front edge portion 2G is located, with the slanted surface 142 therebetween, and the guide portion 143 guides air so that the air goes toward the slanted surface 142 side.

[0265] The guide portion 143 is formed so as to rise as it goes toward the front edge portion 2G side. In addition, the guide portion 143 has no curvature, and the guide portion 143 includes a flat surface.

[0266] In addition, in Figure 9 In the structural example shown in (B), a facing member 180 is provided at a facing position on the inner surface 124A of the concave portion 124. The facing member 180 is arranged along the direction in which the front edge portion 2G extends.

[0267] The facing member 180 is fixed to the portion indicated by the symbol 4Z in Figure 4 If additional explanation is provided, the facing member 180 is fixed to the portion where the two ribs of the concave portion 124 are located in the air guide portion 123.

[0268] In addition, as shown in Figure 9 (B), the facing member 180 is arranged with a gap between the inner surface 124A, and is arranged at a facing position on the bottom portion 124S of the concave portion 124.

[0269] Furthermore, the facing member 180 is located between the paper-side opening edge 126A and the opposite-side opening edge 126B.

[0270] In this structural example, the portion between the opposite-side opening edge 126B and the facing member 180 becomes the air inlet portion 9EN. In addition, the portion between the paper-side opening edge 126A and the facing member 180 becomes the air outlet portion 9EX.

[0271] In this structural example, the air supplied by the air supply portion 150 (not shown in Figure 9 (B)) passes through the inlet portion 9EN and goes toward the inner surface 124A. Thereafter, the air is guided by the inner surface 124A and goes toward the outlet portion 9EX. Moreover, the air that has left the outlet portion 9EX is blown toward the front edge portion 2G.

[0272] (Other)

[0273] In the above, the attracting portion 100 is moved to move the paper P toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side, but it is not limited thereto. As shown inFigure 10 (View showing another structural example of the paper feeding section 1C) As shown, instead of moving the suction section 100, the paper P can be moved toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side.

[0274] In Figure 10 In this structural example shown, the device body 101 having the lower surface 101X and the belt member 190 that moves in a circular motion are provided in the suction section 100.

[0275] The device body 101 is disposed inside the belt member 190. Further, a plurality of through holes (not shown) that connect the inside and the outside of the belt member 190 are provided in the belt member 190.

[0276] In this structural example, if the paper P is sucked by the device body 101, the paper P adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the belt member 190. Here, in this structural example, the surface facing downward in the outer peripheral surface of the belt member 190 becomes the suction section for sucking the paper P. Here, the suction section is configured to be planar.

[0277] If the paper P adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the belt member 190, air is blown against the front edge portion 2G of the paper P in the same manner as described above. Thereafter, the rotation of the belt member 190 is started. Thereby, the paper P is supplied to the most upstream conveying roller 52E.

[0278] Further, in this structural example, after stopping the blowing of air against the front edge portion 2G or reducing the amount of air blown against the front edge portion 2G, the rotation of the belt member 190 is started.

[0279] If additional explanation is given, in this structural example, there is no functional section such as the air guiding member 120 shown in Figure 5 that supports the front edge portion 2G from above. When the paper P passes through the facing position of the discharge port 152A (see Figure 10 ), the paper P is likely to move around due to the blown air.

[0280] Therefore, in this structural example, when moving the paper P toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E, the blowing of air is stopped or the amount of blown air is reduced.

[0281] Further, as another form, air can be directly blown against the front edge portion 2G from above.

[0282] In the above, after temporarily moving the air from the air supply source 151 located below upward, the air is moved downward, and air is blown against the front edge portion 2G from above. However, the blowing form is not limited to this.

[0283] For example, an air supply source such as a fan may also be provided above the lower surface 101X of the apparatus main body 101 to directly supply air to the front edge portion 2G from above. In this case, the recess 124 may be omitted.

Claims

1. A recording material conveying device, comprising: An adsorption part that adsorbs a recording material from below the adsorption part; A blowing member that blows air to an edge part of the recording material adsorbed on the adsorption part from a position above the adsorption part; A concavo-convex part that squeezes the recording material adsorbed on the adsorption part to impart a waveform shape to the edge part; And An air guiding part that guides air that has gone above the adsorption part and is provided on a member provided with the concavo-convex part.

2. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the blowing member conveys air obliquely downward from a position above the adsorption part and away from the edge part side to blow air to the edge part.

3. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein after air from below the adsorption part goes above the adsorption part, the air goes downward and blows air toward the edge part from above the adsorption part.

4. The recording material conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the air guiding part guides the air so that the air that has gone upward goes downward.

5. The recording material conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the lower surface of the member provided in the recording material conveying device is used to guide the air that has gone above the adsorption part so that the air goes downward.

6. The recording material conveying device according to claim 5, wherein an inclined surface is formed on the lower surface, and the inclined surface descends as it approaches from the side away from the edge part of the recording material toward the side close to the edge part, and the air going downward is guided to the edge part through the inclined surface.

7. The recording material conveying device according to claim 6, wherein a guiding part is provided on the lower surface on the side farther from the edge part than the inclined surface, and the guiding part guides the air that has gone above the adsorption part toward the inclined surface side.

8. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a concave part that is recessed upward is formed in the air guiding part, The inner surface of the concave part guides the air that has gone above the adsorption part so that the air that has gone upward goes downward, and the air that has gone downward is blown to the edge part.

9. The recording material conveying device according to claim 8, wherein the inner surface of the concave part is formed to be recessed upward and is given a curvature, and its cross-sectional shape is formed in an arc-drawing manner.

10. The recording material conveying device according to claim 8, wherein a facing member that is arranged with a gap from the inner surface is provided at a facing position on the inner surface of the concave part.

11. The recording material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein air from above the adsorption part is blown to a part of the edge part that has been given a waveform shape.

12. The recording material conveying device according to claim 8, wherein a discharge port is further provided, and the discharge port discharges the air that goes to the concave part of the air guiding part. The width of the concave portion in the extending direction of the edge portion is equal to or greater than the width of the discharge port in the extending direction of the edge portion.

13. A recording material conveying device, comprising: An adsorption portion that adsorbs a recording material from below the adsorption portion; A blowing member that blows air against an edge portion of the recording material adsorbed to the adsorption portion from above the edge portion; A concavo-convex portion that squeezes the recording material adsorbed to the adsorption portion to impart a waveform shape to the edge portion; And An air guiding portion that guides air that has traveled above the adsorption portion and is provided on a member provided with the concavo-convex portion.

14. A recording material conveying device, comprising: An adsorption portion that adsorbs a recording material being conveyed in one direction from below the adsorption portion; An air guiding member having a recording material facing surface that is located downstream of the adsorption portion in the one direction, faces downward, faces the recording material adsorbed to the adsorption portion, and is in contact with a part of the recording material; And An air conveying member that is located below the adsorption portion, The recording material facing surface has a concavo-convex surface, The recording material facing surface intersects an extension line of the direction in which air is conveyed by the air conveying member.

15. The recording material conveying device according to claim 14, wherein when the concavo-convex surface is viewed from the downstream side in the one direction, the concavo-convexities provided on the concavo-convex surface are arranged symmetrically left and right.

16. An image forming apparatus, comprising: An image forming member that forms an image on a recording material; and a recording material conveying device that conveys the recording material, the recording material conveying device being configured to include the recording material conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

Images