JP2013039987A - Medium feeder and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve the alignment accuracy of a medium while increasing the loading amount of the medium.
A holding member (33) having a holding member main body (33), a surrounding member (45) extending to the stacking member (11) side of the medium (S), and a suction device (HF) for adsorbing the medium (S). 32) and an end aligning member (13) that is supported by the storage container (TR2) and aligns the medium (S), extends in the stacking direction of the medium (S), and has an end (18 + 19) that surrounds the enclosing member (45). An end aligning member (13) disposed closer to the holding member main body (33) than the end portion (45a) thereof, and an end aligning member (13) in a direction in which the container (TR2) is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body (U2a). Is provided on the end aligning member (13) or the holding member (32) corresponding to the overlapping area of the surrounding member (45), and the overlap is eliminated from the supplyable position where the medium (S) can be supplied at the time of attachment / detachment. And a movable part (45) that moves to the overlap elimination position Charging device (U2).
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium supply device and an image forming apparatus.

  With respect to a medium supply device that supplies a medium stacked on a stacking unit, techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below are known.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-19978 as Patent Document 1 discloses a paper feeding device that creates a negative pressure state and sucks a paper loaded on a stack (56) supported and movable up and down in the paper feeding direction. A plenum (58) and a stack arranged so as to surround the outer periphery while being suspended from the lower surface of the paper feeding device plenum (58) and supported so as to be close to and away from the lower stack (56). (56) A paper feeding device having a sealing mechanism (300) for sealing a gap between the paper on the paper and a paper feeding device plenum (58) is described.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-94594 as Patent Document 2 discloses a sheet storage portion (200) configured to be drawable in the sheet width direction, an air suction port (above the sheet storage portion (200)) A color laser printer (100) having a sheet feeding unit (208) that sucks and conveys a sheet from a sheet storage unit (200) by a rotatable conveyance belt (213) in which a plurality of 220) are formed is described. ing.
In the sheet storage portion (200) of Patent Document 2, the height of the width direction regulating members (206, 207) that align the sheet end portions in the sheet width direction, which is the drawing direction, is the lowest end portion of the sheet feeding portion (208). In contrast, it is configured so as not to interfere with the drawing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-19978 ("0023" to "0026", FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, FIG. 14 to FIG. 18) JP 2008-94594 A ("0032", "0033", "0046", FIG. 2, FIG. 4)

  It is a technical object of the present invention to reduce the deterioration of media alignment accuracy while increasing the amount of loaded media.

In order to solve the technical problem, the medium supply device according to claim 1 comprises:
An apparatus main body to which a storage container for storing a medium is mounted;
The receiving container that is detachably supported between a mounting position mounted on the apparatus main body and a disengagement position separated from the outer side of the apparatus main body compared to the mounting position;
A loading member that is supported inside the container and on which a medium is loaded;
A holding member body disposed opposite to the stacking member of the storage container moved to the mounting position and supported so as to be movable along the conveyance direction of the medium, and for gas suction formed in the holding member body And an enclosure member that is disposed so as to surround the gas suction opening and that extends from the holding member main body toward the stacking member, and is formed inside the enclosure member and surrounded by the enclosure member An enclosed space and a suction device that is connected to the gas suction opening and sucks the gas in the enclosed space. A holding member for adsorbing and holding the medium at the end of
A conveying member that is disposed downstream of the holding member in the conveying direction of the medium and conveys the medium adsorbed by the holding member toward the downstream side;
An end alignment member that is supported inside the storage container and is capable of aligning an edge of a medium that comes into contact with and contacts an edge of a medium loaded on the stacking member, and the medium is placed on the stacking member. The stacked member extends in the stacking direction, which is the direction in which the media overlap, and the end of the holding member main body is disposed closer to the holding member main body than the end of the surrounding member on the stacking member side An edge alignment member;
A movable portion provided on at least one of the end aligning member and the holding member corresponding to an overlapping region where the end aligning member and the surrounding member overlap in a direction in which the storage container is attached and detached, Is supported so as to be movable between a supplyable position where it can be sucked and supplied, and an overlap elimination position where the overlap between the end alignment member and the surrounding member is eliminated by retreating from the inside of the overlap region. The movable part that moves from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position when the storage container is attached and detached;
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 2 is the medium supply apparatus according to claim 1,
The movable portion configured by the surrounding member supported so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the stacking member, and the supplyable position capable of sucking the medium stacked on the stacking member; The movable part that moves between the overlap elimination position set in a direction away from the stacking member compared to the supplyable position;
The movable member is provided at the end aligning member and is disposed at a position in contact with the end of the surrounding member on the stacking member side when the container is attached or detached, and when the container is attached or detached A guide portion that contacts and pushes the movable portion to the overlap elimination position;
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 3 is the medium supply apparatus according to claim 2,
An inclined portion for mounting the guide portion formed in a portion on the downstream side of the guide portion with respect to the mounting direction, which is a direction in which the storage container moves from the separation position to the mounting position. When moving from the downstream side toward the upstream side, the movable portion is inclined in the direction from the supplyable position toward the overlap elimination position, and the container moves toward the downstream side in the mounting direction. An inclined portion for mounting the guide portion that contacts and guides the movable portion from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position;
An inclined portion for detachment of the guide portion formed at a portion on the upstream side of the guide portion with respect to the mounting direction, from the supply possible position as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the mounting direction. Inclination in the direction toward the overlap elimination position, and when the storage container moves toward the upstream side in the mounting direction, the movable portion comes into contact with the movable portion from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position. An inclined part for detachment of the guide part to be guided to
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the medium supply device according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The movable portion configured by the surrounding member supported so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the stacking member, and the supplyable position capable of sucking the medium stacked on the stacking member; The movable part that moves between the overlap elimination position set in a direction away from the stacking member compared to the supplyable position;
It is provided in the surrounding member and is disposed at a position that contacts the end of the end aligning member on the holding member main body side when the storage container is attached and detached, and the end when the storage container is attached and detached. A guided portion that is pushed in contact with the aligning member and guided to the overlap elimination position;
It is provided with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the medium supply device according to the fourth aspect,
An inclined portion for mounting the guided portion formed in a portion upstream of the guided portion with respect to the mounting direction, which is a direction in which the storage container moves from the separation position to the mounting position. When the container is inclined from the supplyable position toward the downstream side in the direction opposite to the direction from the supply possible position toward the duplication elimination position, and the container moves toward the downstream side in the mounting direction. An inclined portion for mounting the guided portion guided to the overlap elimination position from the supplyable position by contacting the end alignment member;
An inclined portion for detachment of the guided portion formed in a downstream portion of the guided portion with respect to the mounting direction, and can be supplied from the downstream side to the upstream side in the mounting direction. When the storage container is inclined toward the upstream side of the mounting direction, it is in contact with the end aligning member when the storage container moves toward the upstream side in the mounting direction. An inclined portion for detachment of the guided portion guided to a cancellation position;
It is provided with.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the medium supply apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The movable portion configured by the surrounding member supported so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the stacking member, and the supplyable position capable of sucking the medium stacked on the stacking member; The movable part that moves between the overlap elimination position set in a direction away from the stacking member compared to the supplyable position;
A moving device for moving the movable part;
Control means for controlling driving of the moving device, wherein the control device drives the moving device to move the movable portion from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position when the container is attached or detached. When,
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 7 is the medium supply apparatus according to claim 6,
A second gas suction opening formed at a position different from the gas suction opening and formed corresponding to an end of the surrounding member on the side away from the stacking member;
A second enclosing member surrounding the second gas suction opening;
A second enclosing space formed inside the second enclosing member and surrounded by the second enclosing member and separated from the enclosing space; from the stacking member of the enclosing member The second enclosed space that passes when the end on the side to be separated moves between the supplyable position and the overlap elimination position;
The moving device having a suction device for a surrounding member that is connected to the second gas suction opening and sucks the gas in the second enclosed space and sucks the surrounding member;
The control means for controlling driving of the suction device for the surrounding member, wherein when the storage container is attached or detached, the suction device for the surrounding member causes the gas in the second enclosed space to be sucked. The control means for moving the movable part from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 8 is the medium supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A body of an enclosure member provided on the enclosure member and extending from the holding member body toward the stacking member;
The movable part extending from the surrounding member body to the stacking member side and supported to be swingable with respect to the surrounding member body, and extending from the surrounding member body to the stacking member side and loading When the supplyable position where the medium loaded on the member can be adsorbed and the overlap elimination position inclined with respect to the main body of the surrounding member are supported so as to be movable, and the container is attached or detached The movable part that is pushed by the end alignment member and moves from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 9,
A medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image recording unit for recording an image on a medium supplied from the medium supply device;
It is provided with.

According to the first and ninth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the alignment accuracy of the medium while increasing the stacking amount of the medium as compared with the case where there is no movable part.
According to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, when attaching and detaching the storage container, the movable part can be moved to the overlap elimination position with a simple structure as compared with the case where the present structure is not provided. Interference between the member and the surrounding member can be suppressed.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the inclined portion provided on the end aligning member can be guided in contact with the movable portion, and the movable portion can be moved to the overlap elimination position.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the inclined portion provided in the surrounding member is guided while being in contact with the end aligning member, and the movable portion can be moved to the overlap elimination position.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the storage container is attached or detached, the movable unit can be moved to the overlap elimination position by the moving device, and interference between the end aligning member and the surrounding member can be suppressed. .
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the movable part can be moved to the overlap elimination position by suction.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the end aligning member of the storage container to be attached and detached can swing the movable part to move to the overlapping elimination position, and suppress the interference between the end aligning member and the surrounding member. can do.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of the position of the stacking plate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of the state where the stacking plate is moved to the retracted position. FIG. is there. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed tray, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the suction head according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is a front view, and FIG. 6B is a plan view. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the suction head according to the first embodiment when viewed obliquely from below. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6B. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sealing skirt of Example 1 has moved, FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sealing skirt has moved to the lowered position, and FIG. 9B represents a state in which the sealing skirt has moved to the raised position It is explanatory drawing of. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the position of the suction head according to the first embodiment, FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a state where the suction head is moved to the suction position, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the suction head is moved to the supply position. . FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment when the paper feed tray is detached. FIG. 11A is a diagram for explaining the state in which the paper feed tray is moved to the mounting position. FIG. FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the rear side guide and the sealing skirt of the rear portion are in contact with each other, FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet feeding tray is moved forward from the state of FIG. FIG. 11D is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sealing skirt of the rear side is in contact with the sealing skirt and is lifted, and FIG. 11D is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet feeding tray is moved forward from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state just before the sealing skirt of a part leaves | separates. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment 1 continued from FIG. 11, and FIG. 12A shows that the sheet feeding tray moves forward from the state of FIG. 11D, and the side guide on the rear side contacts the sealing skirt on the front side. FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sheet feeding tray has moved forward from the state of FIG. 12A and the rear side guide and the sealing skirt of the front side have been lifted, and FIG. FIG. 12D is an explanatory view of a state immediately before the sheet feeding tray moves forward from the state and the rear side guide and the sealing skirt of the front part are separated from each other. FIG. 12D moves the sheet feeding tray from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which moved to the detachment position. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional configuration, FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment, FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the paper feed tray according to the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment. 16 is an explanatory view of a sealing skirt of Example 2, FIG. 16A is a sectional view taken along line XVIA-XVIA in FIG. 15, and FIG. 16B is a sectional view taken along line XVIB-XVIB in FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a paper feed tray according to the third embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 15 according to the second embodiment. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the sealing skirt of Example 3, FIG. 18A is an enlarged view of the sealing skirt, and FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIIIB-XVIIIB in FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the front sealing opening / closing portion of the third embodiment. FIG. 19A is a diagram showing the sealing opening / closing portion tilted forward with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering portion and moved to the release position for separation. FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the sealing opening / closing portion has moved to a normal position extending along the sealing lifting / lowering portion, and FIG. 19C is a rear view of the sealing opening / closing portion with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering portion. It is explanatory drawing of the state which inclined and moved to the open position for mounting | wearing. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the left and right sealing opening / closing parts of Example 3, and FIG. 20A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sealing opening / closing part has moved to a normal position extending along the sealing lifting / lowering part, FIG. 20B is an explanatory view showing a state in which the sealing opening / closing part is inclined with respect to the sealing lifting part and moved to the open position. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment when the paper feed tray is detached. FIG. 21A is a diagram for explaining the state in which the paper feed tray is moved to the mounting position. FIG. FIG. 21C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the rear side guide and the rear side sealing opening / closing portion are in contact with each other, FIG. 21C is a rear side sealing opening / closing portion as the paper feed tray moves forward from the state of FIG. FIG. 21D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the paper feed tray has moved forward from the state of FIG. 21C and the left and right sealing opening / closing portions have moved to the open position, and FIG. 21E is an explanatory diagram of FIG. 21A. FIG. 21F is an explanatory diagram when viewed in the direction of arrow XXIF in FIG. 21B, FIG. 21G is an explanatory diagram when viewed in the direction of arrow XXIG in FIG. 21C, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state seen in the arrow XXIH direction. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment following FIG. 21, and FIG. 22A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the paper feed tray is moved forward from the state shown in FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the sheet feeding tray has moved forward from the state of FIG. 22A and the rear side guide and the front sealing opening / closing portion are in contact with each other, and FIG. 22C is the state of FIG. 22B FIG. 22D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the paper feed tray has moved forward from the front and the front side sealing opening / closing portion has moved to the release open position, and FIG. 22D has moved forward from the state of FIG. 22E is an explanatory diagram of the state as viewed in the direction of arrow XXIIE in FIG. 22A, FIG. 22F is an explanatory diagram of the state as viewed in the direction of arrow XXIIF in FIG. 22B, and FIG. 22G is in the direction of arrow XXIIG in FIG. FIG. 22H is a diagram illustrating the state seen in FIG. It is an explanatory view showing a state as viewed in an arrow XXIIH direction. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a paper feed tray according to the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 17 according to the third embodiment. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a sealing skirt of Example 4, FIG. 24A is an enlarged view of the sealing skirt, and FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIVB-XXIVB in FIG. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the entire image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the paper feed tray according to the fifth embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the suction head according to the fifth embodiment, FIG. 27A is a front view, and FIG. 27B is a plan view. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the suction head of Example 5, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. 27B.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus U includes a user interface UI as an example of an operation unit, an image scanner U1 as an example of an image information input device, a paper feeding device U2 as an example of a medium supply device, and an image forming apparatus body U3. And a paper processing device U4.

The user interface UI includes an input key such as a copy start key, a copy number setting key, a numeric keypad, and a display unit UI1.
The image scanner U1 includes an automatic document conveying device that automatically conveys a document, a scanner main body as an example of an image reading device, and the like. In FIG. 1, an image scanner U1 reads a document (not shown), converts it into image information, and inputs it to the image forming apparatus body U3.
The sheet feeding device U2 is an example of a storage container, and a plurality of sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 as an example of a sheet feeding unit, and a recording sheet as an example of a medium sent out from each of the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2. A sheet feeding path SH1 is provided as an example of a conveyance path for conveying S to the image forming apparatus main body U3.

In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus main body U3 includes an image recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet S conveyed from the sheet feeding device U2, a toner dispenser device U3a as an example of a developer replenishing unit, and a sheet conveyance path. SH2, paper discharge path SH3, paper reversal path SH4, paper circulation path SH6, and the like are provided. The image recording unit will be described later.
The image forming apparatus main body U3 includes a control unit C, a laser drive circuit D as an example of a drive circuit for latent image writing controlled by the control unit C, and a power supply circuit controlled by the control unit C. E etc. The laser drive circuit D, the operation of which is controlled by the control unit C, in advance receives a laser drive signal corresponding to image information of Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, K: black input from the image input device U1. At the set time, the images are output to the latent image forming apparatuses ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSk of the respective colors.

In FIG. 1, a black image carrier unit UK has a photosensitive drum Pk as an example of an image carrier, a charger CCk, and a photoreceptor cleaner CLk as an example of a cleaner for an image carrier. . In addition, the image carrier units UY, UM, and UC of other colors Y, M, and C are also provided with photosensitive drums Py, Pm, and Pc, chargers CCy, CCm, and CCc as an example of a discharger, and photoreceptor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc. In Example 1, the K photosensitive drum Pk, which is frequently used and has a lot of surface wear, is configured to have a larger diameter than the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, and Pc of other colors, and is capable of high-speed rotation. Long life has been achieved.
Toner image forming members UY + GY, UM + GM, UC + GC, UK + GK are constituted by the image carrier units UY, UM, UC, UK and developing units GY, GM, GC, GK having a developing roll R0.

  In FIG. 1, photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are uniformly charged by chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, and CCk, respectively, and then output from the latent image forming devices ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSk. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the laser beam Ly, Lm, Lc, Lk as an example of the latent image writing light. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are transferred to Y: yellow, M: magenta by a developing roll R0 as an example of a developer holding body of the developing units GY, GM, GC, GK. The toner image is developed as an example of a visible image of C: cyan and K: black.

The toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member by primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k as an example of a primary transfer unit. The images are sequentially superimposed and transferred, and a multicolor image, so-called color image, is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. The color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to a secondary transfer area Q4 as an example of an image recording area.
In the case of only black image data, only K: black photosensitive drum Pk and developing unit GK are used, and only a black toner image is formed.
After the primary transfer, residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk is cleaned by the photosensitive member cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk.

  A belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device is disposed below the image carrier units UY to UK. The belt module BM includes an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member, belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a as examples of support members of the intermediate transfer member, and the primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. The belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, and T2a include a belt drive roll Rd as an example of a drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of a tension applying member, a walking roll Rw as an example of a meandering prevention member, and a driven member. A plurality of idler rolls Rf as an example and a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer counter member are included. The intermediate transfer belt B is supported by the belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow Ya.

A secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed below the backup roll T2a. A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member of the secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed so as to be separated from and contactable with the backup roll T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roll T2b is A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by the region in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt B. Further, a contact roll T2c as an example of a voltage application contact member is in contact with the backup roll T2a, and a secondary transfer device T2 is constituted by the rolls T2a to T2c.
A secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the contact roll T2c from a power supply circuit controlled by the control unit C at a preset time.

  A sheet transport path SH2 is disposed below the belt module BM. The recording sheet S fed from the sheet feeding path SH1 of the sheet feeding device U2 is conveyed to the sheet conveying path SH2 by a conveying roll Ra as an example of a plurality of medium conveying members, and is an example of a delivery timing adjusting member. The registration roller Rr sends the toner image to the secondary transfer region Q4 through the medium guide member SGr and the medium guide member SG1 before transfer in accordance with the time when the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer device T2 when passing through the secondary transfer region Q4. Note that in the case of a full-color image, the toner images primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B are secondarily transferred onto the recording sheet S at once.

The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned, that is, cleaned by a belt cleaner CLB as an example of an intermediate transfer member cleaner. The secondary transfer roll T2B is supported so as to be separated from and contactable with the intermediate transfer belt B.
A transfer device T1 + B + T2 + CLB that transfers the image on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py to Pk to the recording sheet S by the primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, the belt cleaner CLB, and the like. It is configured.
The photoconductor drums Py, Pm, Pc, Pk, the developing units GY, GM, GC, GK, the transfer devices T1 + B + T2 + CLB, and the like constitute a printer unit U3b as an example of an image recording unit of the first embodiment.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing device F through a medium guide member SG2 after transfer and a sheet conveying belt BH as an example of a medium conveying member before fixing. The fixing device F has a heating roll Fh as an example of a heat fixing member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member, and is fixed by a region where the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp are in pressure contact with each other. Region Q5 is formed.
The toner image on the recording sheet S is heated and fixed by the fixing device F when passing through the fixing region Q5. A first gate GT1 as an example of a conveyance path switching member is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device F. The first gate GT1 selectively switches the recording sheet S conveyed through the sheet conveyance path SH2 and heated and fixed in the fixing region Q5 to the sheet discharge path SH3 or the sheet reversing path SH4 of the sheet processing apparatus U4. The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet discharge path SH3 is conveyed to the sheet conveyance path SH5 of the sheet processing apparatus U4.

  A curl correction device U4a as an example of a curvature correction device is disposed in the middle of the paper transport path SH5, and a curl switching gate G4 as an example of a transport path switching member is disposed in the paper transport path SH5. Yes. The curl switching gate G4 causes the recording sheet S conveyed from the sheet conveyance path SH3 of the image forming apparatus body U3 to be curved, so-called curl direction, depending on the first curl correction member h1 or the second curl correction member. Transport to the h2 side. The recording sheet S conveyed to the first curl correction member h1 or the second curl correction member h2 is curled when passing. The recording sheet S with the curl corrected is a so-called face in which the image fixing surface of the recording sheet S faces upward from a discharge roll Rh as an example of a discharge member to a discharge tray TH1 as an example of a discharge unit of the paper processing device U4. It is discharged in the up state.

The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4 side of the image forming apparatus main body U3 by the first gate GT1 has a second gate GT2 as an example of a regulating member in the conveyance direction formed of an elastic thin film member. The paper passes in a push-down manner and is conveyed to the paper reversing path SH4 of the image forming apparatus main body U3.
A sheet circulation path SH6 and a sheet reversing path SH7 are connected to the downstream end of the sheet reversing path SH4 of the image forming apparatus main body U3, and a third gate as an example of a regulating member in the conveying direction is also connected to the connecting portion. GT3 is arranged. The recording sheet S transported to the paper transport path SH4 through the first gate GT1 passes through the third gate GT3 and is transported to the paper reversing path SH7 side of the paper processing apparatus U4. When performing duplex printing, the recording sheet S that has been transported through the paper reversing path SH4 passes through the third gate GT3 as it is, is transported to the paper reversing path SH7, and then transported in the opposite direction. When switched back, the transport direction is regulated by the third gate GT3, and the recording sheet S switched back is transported to the paper circulation path SH6 side. The recording sheet S conveyed to the paper circulation path SH6 is retransmitted to the secondary transfer area Q4 through the paper supply path SH1.

On the other hand, when the recording sheet S conveyed on the sheet reversing path SH4 is switched back after the rear end of the recording sheet S in the medium conveying direction passes through the second gate GT2 and before passing through the third gate GT3, the second gate The transport direction of the recording sheet S is regulated by GT2, and the recording sheet S is transported to the paper transport path SH5 with the front and back sides reversed. After the curling of the recording sheet S whose front and back sides are reversed is corrected by the curling correction member U4a, the image fixing surface of the recording sheet S faces downward on the paper discharge tray TH1 of the paper processing device U4, so-called face down. It can be discharged in a state.
A sheet transport path SH is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH1 to SH7. Further, a medium transport system SU is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH, V, Ra, Rr, Rh, SGr, SG1, SG2, BH, GT1 to GT3, and the like.

(Description of paper feed trays TR1 and TR2)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment.
Here, only the second paper feed tray TR2 will be described in detail for each of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 of the first embodiment, and the first paper feed tray TR1 is the same as the second paper feed tray TR2. Since this is a configuration, detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 2, rails 1 and 1 as an example of a guide member extending in the front-rear direction are disposed outside the left and right ends of the second paper feed tray TR2. Rollers 2 and 2 as examples of rotating members are rotatably supported on the lower sides of the rails 1 and 1, respectively. The upper portions of the rollers 2 and 2 protrude above the rails 1 and 1 from holes formed in the lower surfaces of the rails 1 and 1.
Further, guided rails 3 and 3 as examples of guided members that bulge outwardly are provided at the lower portions on both the left and right sides of the second paper feed tray TR2, respectively. The rails 3 and 3 are supported on the upper surfaces of the rollers 2 and 2 on the lower surface of the rail 1. Therefore, the second paper feed tray TR2 is configured to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction along the left and right rails 1 and 1. That is, the second paper feed tray TR2 is attached / detached between the attachment position attached to the main body U2a of the paper supply device U2 and the separation position separated from the main body U2a of the paper supply device U2 compared to the attachment position. It is configured to be possible. In the first embodiment, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move from the separation position to the attachment position, they move backward.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the paper feed tray according to the first embodiment.
2 and 3, the second paper feed tray TR2 includes a bottom plate 4, and a front wall 6, a rear wall 7, a left wall 8, and a right wall 9 that extend upward to surround the front, rear, left, and right of the bottom plate 4. . In FIG. 3, a groove-shaped end guide groove 4a extending in the left-right direction is formed on the left side of the bottom plate 4 of the second paper feed tray TR2 as an example of the first guide portion. The part is formed with a groove-shaped side guide groove 4b extending in the front-rear direction as an example of the second guide part. In FIG. 2, an upper end portion of the right wall 9 is formed with an inclined portion 9a that is inclined to the right as it goes upward, and the inclined portion 9a guides the recording sheet S to be fed to the conveying roll Ra.

4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of the position of the stacking plate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of the state where the stacking plate is moved to the retracted position. FIG. is there.
2 to 4, a flat stacking plate 11 on which recording sheets S are stacked is arranged on the upper surface of the bottom plate 4 as an example of a stacking member, which is supported inside the sheet feed tray TR2. . The stacking plate 11 has a left opening 11a extending from the left toward the center corresponding to the end guide groove 4a, and a front opening extending from the front and rear ends toward the center corresponding to the side guide groove 4b. 11b and a rear opening 11c are formed. The stacking plate 11 according to the first embodiment is configured to be lifted and lowered by an elevating mechanism SK using a wire as an example of a linear member (not shown) as an example of a stacking member moving mechanism.

  That is, the stacking plate 11 can be lowered to stack the recording sheet S, and is retracted from the suction head 32 (described later) and is lifted to send out the recording sheet S and is recorded on the suction head 32. It is configured to be able to move up and down between the attracted position shown in FIG. 4B where the sheet S is attracted. Note that the lifting mechanism SK of the recording sheet S using a wire is conventionally known as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-143658, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-149882, and the like. Since the configuration can be adopted, detailed description is omitted.

(Description of end guide 12)
An end guide 12 as an example of an end alignment member in the first direction is supported by the end guide groove 4a so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the end guide groove 4a. The end guide 12 includes a flat slide portion 12a along the bottom plate 4 as an example of the moving portion, and a contact portion 12b extending upward from the left end of the slide portion 12a as an example of the main body of the end alignment member. When viewed from the front, it is substantially L-shaped. A contact surface 12c is formed on the right side surface of the contact portion 12b. The contact surface 12c can contact the left end, which is the end edge of the recording sheet S stacked on the stacking plate 11. The left end of the bundle of sheets S is aligned.

(Description of side guides 13 and 23)
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the paper feed tray, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG.
2 to 5, in the side guide groove 4b, a pair of side guides 13 and 23 disposed on the rear side and the front side are provided along the side guide groove 4b as an example of the end alignment member in the second direction. Are supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.
The rear side guide 13 includes a plate-like slide portion 14 that extends along the bottom plate 4 as an example of the moving portion. As an example of the main body of the end aligning member, a plate-shaped aligning wall 16 extending in the stacking direction in which the recording sheets S stacked on the stacking plate 11 overlap, that is, upward, is supported at the rear end of the slide portion 14. ing. A front surface which is the inner surface of the aligning wall 16 is formed with a contact surface 17 that contacts the edge of the recording sheet S and aligns the recording sheet S, and contacts the recording sheet S on the stacking plate 11. The rear ends of the bundle of recording sheets S are aligned.

  2 and 5, a taper portion 18 extending in the left-right direction is formed on the upper right portion of the alignment wall 16 as an example of a guide portion of the end alignment member. The tapered portion 18 is formed at a front portion and is inclined to be separated upward as it advances backward from the front end, and a flat portion 18b extending rearward from the rear end of the separation inclined portion 18a. And an inclined portion 18c for mounting that inclines downward as it advances rearward from the rear end of the flat portion 18b. An extension wall 19 extending upward with respect to the taper portion 18 is formed on the left side of the taper portion 18. The tapered portion 18 and the extension wall 19 constitute an upper end portion 18 + 19 of the rear alignment wall 16 in the first embodiment.

2 and 5, the front side guide 23 is configured to be symmetrical in the front-rear direction corresponding to the rear side guide 13. Corresponding to the taper part 18 and the extension wall 19, there are a slide part 24, an alignment wall 26, a contact surface 27, a taper part 28, and an extension wall 29.
The pair of front and rear side guides 13 and 23 are configured to be movable in conjunction with each other in directions of approaching and separating from each other by a pinion gear as an example of a gear (not shown) and a rack gear in which a gear is formed on a flat plate. . Note that the configuration in which the pinion gear and the rack gear move together in the direction of approaching and separating from each other is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-106567 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-24057. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

(Description of the suction head 32)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the suction head according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is a front view, and FIG. 6B is a plan view.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the suction head according to the first embodiment when viewed obliquely from below.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6B.
2 and 6 to 8, a sheet take-out device 31 as an example of a medium take-out member is disposed above the second paper feed tray TR2. The sheet take-out device 31 includes a suction head 32 that can suck and hold the recording sheet S on the stacking plate 11 as an example of a suction member. The suction head 32 has a box-shaped head main body 33 as an example of a main body of a suction member and an example of a main body of a holding member. The head main body 33 has a flat bottom plate portion 34 and side walls 36, 37, 38, 39 extending vertically from the front, rear, left and right of the bottom plate portion 34.

The bottom plate portion 34 is formed with a plurality of intake ports 41 penetrating in the vertical direction as an example of an opening for gas suction. On the right side of the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 34, as an example of a bend imparting portion, an inclined surface 42 is formed which inclines downward as it goes to the right and inclines to the left as it goes to the center in the front-rear direction. In addition, a plurality of plate-like ribs 43 extending downward are formed on both front and rear end portions of the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 24 as an example of a bend imparting portion with a gap therebetween. In addition, in the inclined surface 42 as an example of the bending imparting portion, the configuration in which it is inclined downward as it goes to the right and to the left as it goes to the center portion in the front-rear direction is illustrated, for example, it is upward as it goes to the right It is also possible to have a shape in which the central part in the front-rear direction is recessed by inclining.
6A and 8, a plurality of pins 44 projecting outward are supported on the outer surfaces of the side walls 36 to 39 as an example of the surrounding support member.

6 to 8, a sealing skirt 45 as an example of a surrounding member is supported on the outer surface of the head main body 33. The sealing skirt 45 has plate-like sealing plates 46, 47, 48, and 49 that are disposed outside the side walls 36, 37, 38, and 39 and extend downward, and surround the outer periphery of the head body 33. Is arranged. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the front ends of the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 are arranged corresponding to the position of the front surface of the front sealing plate 46. The rear ends of the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 are arranged corresponding to the position of the rear surface of the rear sealing plate 47.
The front and rear sealing plates 46 and 47 of the first embodiment are set to have a length in the left-right direction smaller than the length in the sheet conveyance direction of the smallest size recording sheet S that can be used in the image forming apparatus U. ing. Further, the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 of Example 1 are set to have a length in the front-rear direction smaller than the sheet width of the minimum usable recording sheet S.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sealing skirt of Example 1 has moved, FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sealing skirt has moved to the lowered position, and FIG. 9B represents a state in which the sealing skirt has moved to the raised position It is explanatory drawing of.
6 to 8, the sealing plates 46 to 49 are formed with elongated holes 46a to 49a extending in the vertical direction at positions corresponding to the pins 44, and the elongated holes 46a to 49a are provided with the pins 44. Is supported in a penetrating state. Therefore, the sealing plates 46 to 49 are supported so as to be movable with respect to the head main body 33 in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction approaching and separating from the stacking plate 11 and the stacked recording sheets S. In the first embodiment, the sealing plates 46 to 49 are pinned to the lowered position shown in FIG. 9A where the pins 44 are in contact with the upper ends 46a1 to 49a1 of the long holes 46a to 49 and to the lower ends 46a2 to 49a2 of the long holes 46a to 49a. It is supported so that it can move between the raised positions shown in FIG.
Accordingly, the air inlet 41 is disposed inside the sealing skirt 45 and the side walls 36 to 39, and is defined by the space surrounded by the lower surface of the sealing skirt 45 and the bottom plate portion 34 and the side walls 36 to 39. An intake space 51 is formed as an example of the enclosed space of the first embodiment.

  6 to 8, a lid-like cover portion 61 is supported on the upper portion of the head main body 33 as an example of a covering member. The cover portion 61 includes a plate-shaped upper plate portion 61a that covers the space surrounded by the bottom plate portion 34 and the side walls 36 to 39, and side plate portions 61b, 61c, and 61d that extend downward from the front, rear, left, and right of the upper plate portion 61a. , 61e. On the upper surface of the rear portion of the upper plate portion 61a, a head light-shielding portion 61a1 protruding upward is formed as an example of a detected portion for moving the suction member. The head light-shielding unit 61a1 is an example of an adsorption position detection member of the adsorption member, and an example of an adsorption position position sensor SN1 supported by the main body U2a of the sheet feeding device U2 and an example of an adsorption member supply position detection member. It is detected by the position sensor SN2 of the suction position supported by the main body U2a of the paper feeding device U2.

6 to 8, an exhaust duct 61f extending forward is formed as an example of a connection portion on the right side of the front side plate portion 61b. One end of a bellows 62 as an example of a flexible member is connected to the exhaust duct 61f, and an exhaust fan HF as an example of a suction device is connected to the other end of the bellows 62.
Therefore, the exhaust fan HF is connected to the intake port 41 via the exhaust port 36a, the exhaust duct 61f, and the bellows 62 as an example of the opening formed in the front side wall 36, and when the exhaust fan HF is driven, Gas and air in the intake space 47 are exhausted from the intake port 41. When gas and air are exhausted from the intake space 51, the recording sheet S on the stacking plate 11 is adsorbed by a negative pressure lower than the air flow accompanying the exhaust and the external air pressure formed in the suction space 51. Adsorbed to the head 32.

Here, when the recording sheet S comes into contact with and adsorbs to the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45, the sealing skirt 45 is integrated with the recording sheet S in accordance with the exhaust and suction of the exhaust fan HF. 11 moves upward, which is a direction away from 11, and moves to the raised position. When the sealing skirt 45 is moved to the raised position and further sucked by the exhaust fan HF, the adsorbed recording sheet S is formed on the inclined surface 42 or the inclined surface 42 formed on the bottom plate portion 34 of the head body 33. Curved in contact with the rib 43. Thus, even if the lower recording sheet S is adsorbed together with the uppermost recording sheet S due to static electricity or the like, the uppermost recording sheet S undulates on the inclined surface 42, the rib 43, etc., and the lower recording sheet S A gap is formed between the lower recording sheet S and the attached lower recording sheet S.
The suction head 32 according to the first embodiment is configured by the members having the reference numerals 33 to 61. The suction head 32, the bellows 62, the exhaust fan HF, and the like constitute a sheet holding mechanism 32 + 62 + HF as an example of a holding member of the first embodiment.

6 to 8, a plate-shaped sheet guide 61g extending rightward is supported on the right side plate portion 61e of the cover portion 61 as an example of a support portion on the downstream side in the supply direction. The sheet guide 61g according to the first exemplary embodiment is set to have a length in the front-rear direction so that the sheet guide 61g can pass between the transport rolls Ra that are arranged with a space in the front-rear direction.
The transport roll Ra according to the first exemplary embodiment is arranged so that at least a part of the roller is disposed on the inner side of the outer end of the head body 33 in the front-rear direction, and the distance between the inner ends of the transport roll Ra is set. The interval is set to be narrower than the width of the minimum size sheet S that can be conveyed. Therefore, even when the minimum-size sheet S is supplied, the transport roll Ra can be transported downstream with the sheet S interposed therebetween.

6 and 8, a shaft guide portion 71 as an example of a guided portion of the suction head 32 is supported on the upper surface of the cover portion 61. As an example of the guide member, the shaft guide portion 71 is supported by a main body U2a of the sheet feeding device U2 and supported by a guide shaft 72 extending in the left-right direction that is a medium transport direction. The shaft guide portion 71 according to the first embodiment is supported in a state in which it can move in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 72 and cannot rotate via a linear ball bearing 73 as an example of a bearing member.
A wire fixing portion 74 as an example of a connecting member is supported on the upper surface of the shaft guide portion 71.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the position of the suction head according to the first embodiment, FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a state where the suction head is moved to the suction position, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the suction head is moved to the supply position. .
6 and 8, a wire 76 as an example of a wire is fixedly supported on the wire fixing portion 74. As an example of the support member, the wire 76 is stretched around a pair of pulleys 77, a drive pulley 78, and a driven pulley 79 disposed on the left and right of the wire fixing portion 74. The drive pulley 78 is an example of a drive source. Rotation is transmitted from a motor M1 that can rotate forward and backward. Accordingly, the wire 76 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 6B in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the motor M1, and the suction head 32 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 72. Accordingly, the suction head 32 is opposed to the recording sheet S on the stacking plate 11 moved to the suctioned position and can suck the recording sheet S. The suction position shown in FIG. It moves between the supply position shown in FIG. 10B set on the downstream side in the transport direction of S.

In the first embodiment, at the suction position, the position sensor SN1 at the suction position is set to detect the head light shielding portion 61a1, and the position sensor SN1 at the suction position detects the head light shielding portion 61a1. It is determined that the suction head 32 has moved to the suction position. At the supply position, the position sensor SN2 at the supply position is set to detect the head light-shielding part 61a1, and the suction head 32 is detected by the position sensor SN2 at the supply position detecting the head light-shielding part 61a1. Is determined to have moved to the supply position.
The wire 76, the pulleys 77 to 79, the motor M1, and the like constitute a head driving device 76 to 79 + M1 of the first embodiment as an example of a moving mechanism of the suction member. Further, the sheet take-out device 31 of the first embodiment is configured by the sheet holding mechanism 32 + 62 + HF, the head driving devices 76 to 79 + M1, and the like.

(Explanation of the relationship between the side guides 13 and 23 and the suction head 32)
In FIG. 2, the taper portions 18 and 28 in the side guides 13 and 23 are arranged corresponding to the lower end 45a in a state where the suction head 32 has moved to the suction position and the sealing skirt 45 has moved to the lowered position. The extension walls 19 and 29 are disposed on the left side of the suction head 32 at the suction position.
Here, in FIG. 5, in the taper portion 18 of the rear side guide 13, the lower ends 18a1 and 18c1 of the inclined portions 18a and 18c are disposed below the position P1 of the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 in the lowered position. The Further, the upper ends 18a2 and 18c2 of the inclined portions 18a and 18c are arranged above the position P1 of the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 at the lowered position and from the position P2 of the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 at the raised position. Is also arranged below.

  Therefore, when the paper feed tray TR2 is attached to and detached from the main body U2a of the paper feed device U2, the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 at the lowered position enters the inside through which the rear side guide 13 passes. The rear side guide 13 and the sealing skirt 45 form an overlapping region in the front-rear direction in which the paper feed tray TR2 is attached and detached. Therefore, when the paper feed tray TR2 is mounted, if the rear side guide 13 supported by the paper feed tray TR2 moves rearward toward the mounting position, the mounting inclined portion 18c is formed on the sealing skirt 45. Contact the lower end 45a. Further, when the paper feed tray TR2 moves rearward, it is guided by the inclined surface of the inclined portion 18c for mounting, and the sealing skirt 45 can suck the recording sheet S on the stacking plate 11 as an example of a supplyable position. Is lifted from the lower position.

Then, the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 reaches the flat portion 18b, and the sealing skirt 45 moves to a position P3 that is in contact with the flat portion 18b as an example of a position where duplication can be eliminated. When moving rearward, the rear side guide 13 and the sealing skirt 45 are separated from each other after contact with the separating inclined portion 18 a, and the rear side guide 13 passes through the sealing skirt 45. When the paper feed tray TR2 is pulled out and separated, it comes into contact with the contact portion 18a for separation, and the sealing skirt 45 is lifted and retracted upward in the direction from the lowered position toward the position P3. As a result, the overlap between the rear side guide 13 and the sealing skirt 45 is eliminated by moving from the inside of the overlapping region, and the rear side guide 13 passes through the sealing skirt 45.
That is, the movable part 45 of the first embodiment is configured by the sealing skirt 45.

(Description of air blowing mechanism 81)
In FIG. 2, an air blowing mechanism 81 as an example of a medium winding mechanism is installed in the main body U2a of the paper feeding device U2 so as to correspond to the right side of the paper feeding trays TR1 and TR2 inserted in the mounting position. . The air blowing mechanism 81 blows air as an example of a blowing gas to the downstream end in the transport direction of the recording sheet S adsorbed by the adsorption head 32, and the air is emitted when a plurality of recording sheets S are adsorbed. Separate them with In the suction head 32 of the first embodiment, even when separation air is blown onto the sheet S, the upper surface of the front end portion in the conveyance direction of the sheet S is supported by the sheet guide 61g, and the sheet S is rolled up or curved. It has been reduced.
Such an air blasting mechanism 81 is conventionally known, and for example, a configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2005-194027 and 2008-94603 can be applied, and detailed description thereof is omitted. .
The stacking plate 11, the lifting mechanism SK, the sheet take-out device 31, the air blowing mechanism 81, the transport roll Ra, the paper feed path SH1, and the like constitute a paper feed device U2 as an example of a medium supply device of the first embodiment. .

(Operation of Example 1)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the recording sheet S is sucked by the suction head 32 from the stacking plate 11 at the suction target position in a state where the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are moved to the mounting position. Then, the suction head 32 moves between the suction position and the supply position, delivers the recording sheet S to the downstream side, and the recording sheet S is supplied to the image forming apparatus main body U3. When the recording sheet S on the stacking plate 11 disappears or a paper jam occurs, so-called jam occurs, and the image forming operation is interrupted and terminated, the recording sheet S supply operation is stopped and terminated, and the stacking is completed. The plate 11 moves to the retracted position, and the suction head 32 moves to the suction position. At this time, the sealing skirt 45 moves to the lowered position by its own weight.
When the recording sheets S are replenished to the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 or the jam is cleared, if the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are moved from the attachment position toward the separation position, the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are moved to the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2. The supported guides 12, 13, and 23 move forward.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment when the paper feed tray is detached. FIG. 11A is a diagram for explaining the state in which the paper feed tray is moved to the mounting position. FIG. FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the rear side guide and the sealing skirt of the rear portion are in contact with each other, FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet feeding tray is moved forward from the state of FIG. FIG. 11D is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sealing skirt of the rear side is in contact with the sealing skirt and is lifted, and FIG. 11D is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet feeding tray is moved forward from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state just before the sealing skirt of a part leaves | separates.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment 1 continued from FIG. 11, and FIG. 12A shows that the sheet feeding tray moves forward from the state of FIG. 11D, and the side guide on the rear side contacts the sealing skirt on the front side. FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sheet feeding tray has moved forward from the state of FIG. 12A and the rear side guide and the sealing skirt of the front side have been lifted, and FIG. FIG. 12D is an explanatory view of a state immediately before the sheet feeding tray moves forward from the state and the rear side guide and the sealing skirt of the front part are separated from each other. FIG. 12D moves the sheet feeding tray from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which moved to the detachment position.

11 and 12, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached, the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 at the lowered position enters the inside through which the rear side guide 13 passes, and the paper feed trays The rear side guide 13 and the sealing skirt 45 form an overlapping region in the mounting direction of TR1 and TR2, that is, the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move forward, the rear side guide 13 comes into contact with the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45.
That is, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, the separation inclined portion 18 a in the taper portion 18 of the rear side guide 13 is formed by the lower end 47 b of the rear sealing plate 47 and the left and right sealing plates. The lower ends 48b and 49b of the 48 and 49 come into contact with the rear portions. Further, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 are moved forward, as shown in FIG. 11C, the sealing plates 47 to 49 are guided upward along the inclined surface of the separating inclined portion 18a, and the sealing is performed. The lower ends 47b to 49b of the plates 47 to 49 move to a position P3 where they contact the flat portion 18b. Further, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move forward, the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 continue to contact the flat portion 18b and are held at the position P3, while the rear sealing plate 47 is flat. As shown in FIG. 11D, it is separated from the portion 18 b and descends by its own weight, and comes into contact with the mounting inclined portion 18 c and moves to the lowered position.

Further, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 are moved forward, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 are held at the position P3, and the separation inclined portion 18a is moved to the front side. The lower sealing plate 46 is in contact with the lower end 46b, the front sealing plate 46 is guided upward along the inclined surface of the separating inclined portion 18a, and the lower end 46b is in a position P3 where it contacts the flat portion 18b. Moving. Further, when the sheet feeding trays TR1, TR2 move forward, the sealing plates 46, 48, 49 are separated from the flat portion 18b, and are lowered by their own weight as shown in FIG. 12C, and the mounting inclined portion 18c. Or move to the lowered position. Further, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move forward, the rear side guide 13 passes through the sealing skirt 45, and the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move to the separation positions shown in FIG. 12D.
When the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 move rearward from the separation position toward the mounting position, the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45, that is, the lower ends 46b to 49b of the sealing plates 46 to 49 are arranged on the rear side. The rear side guide 13 passes through the sealing skirt 45 by sequentially coming into contact with the mounting inclined portion 18c of the side guide 13 and being lifted and retracted upward.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the upper end portions 18 + 19, 28 + 29 of the side guides 13, 23 are arranged above the head main body 33 side as compared with the position P1 of the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 at the lowered position. The paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached.
In the first embodiment, the smallest usable recording sheet S is larger than the sealing skirt 45, and the end guide 12 is arranged on the left side with respect to the suction head 32, and the front side The side guide 23 is disposed in front of the suction head 32. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached, the end guide 12 and the front side guide 23 do not pass through the suction head 22 and contact the sealing skirt 45. do not do.

13 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional configuration, FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG.
In FIG. 13, as described in Patent Document 2, in the conventional configuration, the side guide 02 is made lower than the suction member 01 to avoid interference between the suction member 01 and the side guide 02, and the paper feed tray TR <b> 0 is installed. I was putting on and taking off. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, the height L01 of the portion of the side guide 02 that passes through the sealing skirt 03 is lower than the lower end 03a of the sealing skirt 03 by a margin amount α in consideration of a margin such as rattling. Is done.

Here, the recording sheet S stacked on the stacking plate 04 also needs to avoid interference with the sealing skirt 03 when the paper feed tray TR0 is attached / detached. The maximum height, the so-called MAX line, is set downward with respect to the lower end 03 of the sealing skirt 03. On the other hand, if the MAX line is too low with respect to the lower end 03a of the sealing skirt 03, the amount of recording sheets S that can be stacked is reduced. Therefore, the MAX line is desirably set below the lower end 03a of the sealing skirt 03 and at a height close to the lower end 03a of the sealing skirt 03.
Here, in the conventional configuration, even if the recording sheet S is stacked at a height L01 or more of the side guide 02 in an attempt to approach the lower end 03a of the sealing skirt 03, the recording sheet S is disposed before and after the side guide 02. There is a risk that it will protrude outward in the direction and tilt during transportation, so-called skew, or it may fall out of the side guide 02. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, it is necessary to provide a margin so that the recording sheet S does not protrude or fall, and the margin L is lower than the height L02 of the side guide 02 by a margin amount β. The MAX line was set. That is, conventionally, the MAX line has to be set further below the side guide 02 below the lower end 03a of the sealing skirt 03.

14 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment, FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the upper end portion 18 + 19 of the rear side guide 13 is arranged at a position higher than the position P1 of the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 in the lowered position. TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached. That is, in Example 1, as shown in FIG. 14, the height L1 of the part which passes the sealing skirt 45 of the side guide 13, ie, the taper part 18, is high with respect to the position P1, and the height L1. On the other hand, the height L2, which is lower than the margin amount β, is also higher than the conventional configuration.
That is, in Example 1, the side guide 12 is disposed above the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45, and the MAX line is set closer to the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 than in the prior art. It is easy to reduce the protrusion and dropping of the recording sheet S while increasing the loading amount.

  Next, the paper feed tray according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the details thereof will be described. The detailed explanation is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

(Description of Sealing Skirt 45 'of Example 2)
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the paper feed tray according to the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment.
16 is an explanatory view of a sealing skirt of Example 2, FIG. 16A is a sectional view taken along line XVIA-XVIA in FIG. 15, and FIG. 16B is a sectional view taken along line XVIB-XVIB in FIG.
15 and 16, the sealing skirt 45 ′ of the second embodiment is an example of an enclosing member of the second embodiment instead of the sealing plates 46 to 49 of the first embodiment, and is an example of a movable part. It has sealing plates 46'-49 '. Tapered portions 106 to 109 as an example of guided portions of the enclosing member are formed at the lower ends 46 b ′ to 49 b ′ of the sealing plates 46 ′ to 49 ′ of the second embodiment.
In FIG. 16A, the taper portions 106 and 107 of the front and rear sealing plates 46 'and 47' are formed at the front portion and are inclined portions 106a and 107a for mounting that are inclined downward as they proceed rearward from the front end, Flat portions 106b and 107b extending rearward from the rear ends of the mounting inclined portions 106a and 107a, and detaching inclined portions 106c inclined upward as the rear ends of the flat portions 106b and 107b advance. 107c.

In FIG. 16B, the tapered portions 108 and 109 of the left and right sealing plates 48 'and 49' are formed at the front portion and are inclined portions 108a and 109a for mounting that are inclined downward as they move backward from the front end. And flat portions 108b and 109b extending rearward from the rear ends of the mounting inclined portions 108a and 109a, and a detachable inclined portion inclined upward as it advances rearward from the rear ends of the flat portions 108b and 109b. 108c and 109c.
Here, the mounting inclined portions 108 a and 109 a in the left and right tapered portions 108 and 109 are formed corresponding to the mounting inclined portions 106 a in the front taper portion 106. Further, the separation inclined portions 108 c and 109 c in the left and right taper portions 108 and 109 are formed corresponding to the separation inclined portions 107 c in the rear taper portion 107. That is, in the left and right taper portions 108 and 109, inclined portions 108a to 109c are formed only at the front and rear end portions of the sealing plates 48 'and 49', and the front and rear ends of the sealing plates 48 'and 49' are formed. Flat portions 108b and 109b extending in the left-right direction are formed in portions other than the portion portions.

(Description of the side guides 13 'and 23' of the second embodiment)
15 and 16, the side guides 13 'and 23' according to the second embodiment are formed with flat upper right end portions 18 'and 28' instead of the tapered portions 18 and 28 according to the first embodiment. . The upper right end portions 18 'and 28' are located at a position P1 of the lower end 45a 'of the sealing skirt 45' at the lower position, that is, a position P1 of the flat portions 106b to 109b of the sealing plates 46 'to 49' at the lower position. Is also arranged above.
Here, in FIG. 16, the upper right end portion 18 ′ of the rear side guide 13 ′ is above the lower ends 106 a 1 to 109 c 1 of the inclined portions 106 a to 109 c in the sealing skirt 45 ′ at the lower position. In the sealing skirt 45 ′, the inclined portions 106 a to 109 c are disposed below the upper ends 106 a 2 to 109 c 2. Further, the upper right end portion 18 'is located at a position P2 of the lower end 45a' of the sealing skirt 45 'at the raised position, that is, a position P2 of the flat portions 106b to 109b of the sealing plates 46' to 49 'at the raised position. Arranged below.
In the side guides 13 ′ and 23 ′ of Example 2, the contact surfaces 17 ′ and 27 ′ that contact the edge of the recording sheet S and align the recording sheet S are flush with each other and the upper right end portions 18 ′ and 28 ′. 'Is formed extending upward.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 move forward from the mounting position toward the separation position, the sealing plates 46 'to 49' are for removal. The inclined portions 106c to 109c sequentially come into contact with the upper right end portion 18 'of the rear side guide 13. Then, the sealing plates 46 ′ to 49 ′ in contact with each other are lifted and retracted upward, so that the rear side guide 13 ′ passes through the sealing skirt 45 ′. In addition, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 move rearward from the separation position toward the mounting position, the mounting inclined portions 106a to 109a of the sealing plates 46 'to 49' are provided on the rear side guide 13. The sealing plates 46 ′ to 49 ′ are sequentially brought into contact with the upper right end portion 18 ′ of the upper and lower ends of the sealing plates 46 ′ to 49 ′ and retracted upward, so that the rear side guide 13 passes through the sealing skirt 45 ′.
That is, in the first embodiment, the tapered portion 18 provided on the side guide 13 is in contact with the sealing skirt 45 and guides the sealing skirt 45 to move from the lowered position to the upper position P3. In Example 2, the tapered portions 106 to 109 provided on the sealing skirt 45 'are sequentially brought into contact with and pushed by the side guides 13' passing in the front-rear direction, and are guided from the lowered position to the upper position P3. Move.

Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the upper end portions 18 '+ 19, 28' + 29 of the side guides 13 ', 23' are disposed above the position P1 of the lower end 45a 'of the sealing skirt 45' at the lowered position. With the configuration, the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the side guide 13 'is disposed above the lower end 45a' of the sealing skirt 45 ', and the MAX line is connected to the lower end 45a' of the sealing skirt 45 'as in the first embodiment. It is easy to reduce the protrusion and dropping of the recording sheet S while increasing the loading amount.
In the side guide 13 'of the second embodiment, the tapered portion is omitted, and the height of the portion of the side guide 13' where the end-aligned surface 17 'passes through the sealing skirt 45' of the side guide 13 '. It is configured flush with L1. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the recording sheet S can be moved upward even when the recording sheet S is stacked upward or the stacking plate 11 is raised as compared with the configuration in which the side guide 13 'is provided with the tapered portion. It is easy to align.

  Next, the paper feed tray according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the second embodiment, and the details thereof will be described. The detailed explanation is omitted. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the second embodiment in other points.

(Description of Sealing Skirt 45 ″ of Example 3)
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a paper feed tray according to the third embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 15 according to the second embodiment.
18 is an explanatory diagram of the sealing skirt of Example 3, FIG. 18A is an enlarged view of the sealing skirt, and FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIIIB-XVIIIB in FIG.
17 and 18, the sealing skirt 45 ″ as an example of the enclosing member of the third embodiment is replaced with the sealing plates 46 ′ to 49 ′ of the third embodiment instead of the sealing plates 46 ′ to 49 ′ of the second embodiment. 49 ″.
17 and 18, the front side sealing plate 46 ″ is an example of a first sealing portion, and as an example of the body of the enclosing member, a plate-shaped sealing elevating portion that extends downward and extends in the left-right direction. Therefore, the sealing lifting part 111 extends from the head body 33 toward the stacking plate 11. The sealing lifting part 111 has a long hole extending in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the pin 44. 111a is formed and is supported in a state where the pin 44 penetrates through the long hole 111a, so that the sealing lifting and lowering portion 111 is in the vertical direction, that is, the stacking plate 11 with respect to the head body 33. And is supported so as to be able to move toward and away from the stacked recording sheets S, and in the same way as the sealing plates 46 and 46 'on the front side of the first and second embodiments, there is a rise position and a fall position. Supports movement between It is.

17 and 18, a pair of annular shaft support portions 111b penetrating in the left-right direction is formed at the lower end of the sealing lift 111. A connecting shaft 112 extending in the left-right direction is supported by the shaft support portion 111b.
Below the sealing lifting and lowering portion 111 is an example of a second sealing portion, and as an example of a movable portion, it is formed in a plate shape extending downward and extending in the left-right direction corresponding to the sealing lifting and lowering portion 111. The sealed opening / closing part 113 is supported. Accordingly, the sealing opening / closing part 113 extends from the sealing lifting / lowering part 111 toward the stacking plate 11. At the upper end of the sealing opening / closing portion 113, an annular shaft insertion portion 113a that is formed corresponding to the position between the shaft support portions 111b of the sealing lifting / lowering portion 111 and penetrates in the left-right direction is formed. ing. The shaft insertion portion 113a is disposed between the shaft support portions 111b of the sealing lifting / lowering portion 111, and the connection shaft 112 is inserted and supported. As a result, the sealing opening / closing part 113 is supported rotatably with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering part 111 with the connecting shaft 112 as a rotation center. That is, the sealing opening / closing part 113 is supported so as to be swingable.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the front sealing opening / closing portion of the third embodiment. FIG. 19A is a diagram showing the sealing opening / closing portion tilted forward with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering portion and moved to the release position for separation. FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the sealing opening / closing portion has moved to a normal position extending along the sealing lifting / lowering portion, and FIG. 19C is a rear view of the sealing opening / closing portion with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering portion. It is explanatory drawing of the state which inclined and moved to the open position for mounting | wearing.
The sealing opening / closing part 113 of Example 3 is an example of a detachment overlap elimination position, and an opening position for detachment shown in FIG. As an example of the overlap elimination position, the position is supported so as to be movable between an opening position for mounting shown in FIG. As will be described later, the sealing opening / closing portion 113 of the third embodiment extends along the sealing lifting / lowering portion 111 as an example of a supplyable position when not pushed from the side guide 13 ′, and the sealing ascending / descending portion The normal position shown in FIG. 19B extending from 111 to the stacking plate 11 side is held.

As an example of a contact timing adjusting member, a pair of ribs 114 protruding forward are formed on the front surface 113 b of the sealing opening / closing portion 113. In FIG. 18, the rib 114 is inclined at an angle θ with respect to the front surface 113b of the sealing opening / closing portion 113, and extends downward from the rotary shaft 112 toward the front side, and the lower end of the inclined rib portion 114a. And a parallel rib portion 114b extending along the front surface 113b of the sealing opening / closing portion 113.
Here, the rib portion 114 is formed in accordance with the height L1 of the upper right end portion 18 'of the rear side guide 13', and the sealing lifting / lowering portion 111 moves to the lowered position and the sealing opening / closing portion. When 113 has moved to the normal position, it comes into contact with the upper right end 18 'of the side guide 13' that moves from the front to the rear.

17 to 19, rubber plate-like stretchable sheets 116 and 117, which are examples of rotation restricting members and are examples of elastic members, are supported on both front and rear sides with the connecting shaft 112 interposed therebetween. The stretchable sheets 116 and 117 have upper end sides 116 a and 117 a supported by the sealing lift unit 111, and lower end sides 116 b and 117 b supported by the sealing opening / closing unit 113. In Example 3, the stretchable sheets 116 and 117 are in a state of being stretched and contracted, that is, in a so-called natural length state, straddling the sealing elevating part 111 and the sealing opening / closing part 113 at the normal position. Supported.
Therefore, when the sealing opening / closing portion 113 rotates, the expansion / contraction sheets 116 and 117 are expanded and contracted to apply a restoring force, and the free rotational movement of the sealing opening / closing portion 113 is easily restricted. Therefore, when the exhaust fan HF is driven and a negative pressure is formed in the intake space 51 of the sealing skirt 45 ″, the sealing opening / closing part 113 is easily held at the normal position.

  When the sealing opening / closing part 113 rotates about the connecting shaft 112 and tilts forward with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering part 111, the front elastic sheet 116 contracts with respect to the natural length, and the rear elastic sheet 117 Grows against natural length. Therefore, a restoring force is generated on the stretchable sheets 116 and 117 to return to the natural length, and a rotational force is generated around the connecting shaft 112 to return the sealing opening / closing portion 113 to the normal position. Therefore, when the sealing opening / closing part 113 rotates about the connecting shaft 112 and tilts forward with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering part 111, the sealing opening / closing part 113 has its own weight and the extension sheets 116 and 117. It tries to return to the normal position by the restoring force.

Also, when the sealing opening / closing part 113 rotates around the connecting shaft 112 and tilts backward with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering part 111, the elastic sheets 116, 117 are elastically deformed to form the elastic sheets 116, 117. Resilience is generated. Therefore, even when the sealing opening / closing portion 113 rotates about the connecting shaft 112 and tilts backward with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering portion 111, the sealing opening / closing portion 113 has its own weight and the stretchable sheets 116 and 117. It tries to return to the normal position by the restoring force.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the sealing opening / closing portion 113 is inclined with respect to the sealing lifting / lowering portion 111, the sealing opening / closing portion 113 is more likely to return to the normal position than when only the dead weight is used. .
That is, in the third embodiment, when the recording sheet S is attracted, the sealing opening / closing portion 113 is held at the normal position, and is in contact with the side guide 13 'and attracted as when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached. The stretchable sheets 116 and 117 are set so that the sealing opening / closing portion 113 rotates when a force greater than the time is applied. In addition, even if the sealing opening / closing part 113 of Example 3 rotates and moves and deviates from a normal position, it is easy to return to a normal position.

The sealing raising / lowering part 111, the connecting shaft 112, the sealing opening / closing part 113, the rib part 114, and the stretchable sheets 116, 117 constitute a front side sealing plate 46 ″ of the third embodiment.
The rear side sealing plate 47 ″ is configured to be symmetric with the front side sealing plate 46 ″ in the front-rear direction, and the front side sealing lifting / lowering portion 111, the connecting shaft 112, the sealing opening / closing portion 113, the rib portion 114, The front side sealing elevating part 121, the connecting shaft 122, the sealing opening / closing part 123, the rib part 124, and the elastic sheets 126 and 127 configured to be symmetrical with respect to the elastic sheets 116 and 117 are the front side sealing. Since it is only different from the plate 46 ″, a detailed description is omitted.
In FIG. 17, the side plate portions 61 b and 61 c before and after the cover portion 61 of the third embodiment extend upward from the lower end corresponding to the rib portions 114 and 124 of the sealing lifting and lowering portions 113 and 123 at the raised position. Cut portions 61b1 and 61c1 are formed. Accordingly, the cover 61 does not interfere with the ribs 114 and 124 when the sealing lifts 113 and 123 move from the lowered position to the raised position.

(Description of the left and right sealing plates 47 ", 48" of Example 3)
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the left and right sealing opening / closing parts of Example 3, and FIG. 20A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sealing opening / closing part has moved to a normal position extending along the sealing lifting / lowering part, FIG. 20B is an explanatory view showing a state in which the sealing opening / closing part is inclined with respect to the sealing lifting part and moved to the open position.
In FIG. 17A, the left sealing plate 48 ″ is configured to correspond to the front sealing plate 46 ″ so as to extend in the front-rear direction rather than the left-right direction. That is, the left side sealing plate 48 ″ corresponds to the front side sealing lifting / lowering part 111, the connecting shaft 112, the sealing opening / closing part 113, the stretchable sheets 116 and 117, and the left sealing lifting / lowering part 131 and the connecting shaft 132. And a sealing opening / closing part 133 and elastic sheets 136 and 137.
Here, as an example of the supplyable position, the left sealing opening / closing portion 133 extends along the sealing lifting / lowering portion 131 and extends from the sealing lifting / lowering portion 131 to the stacking plate 11 side as shown in FIG. As an example of an overlapping / removal position for attachment / detachment, the position is supported so as to be movable between an opening position shown in FIG. In addition, when the sealing opening / closing part 133 moves to the normal position, rotation in the right direction is restricted by a stopper (not shown) as an example of a restriction part. When the sealing opening / closing part 133 moves to the open position, the lower end of the sealing opening / closing part 133 moves to a position higher than the upper right end 18 'of the side guide 13'.

  18 and 20, as an example of a guided portion for mounting, the right side of the left sealing opening / closing portion 133 protrudes to the right and can contact the left end of the front sealing opening / closing portion 113. A front protrusion 138 is formed. The front projecting portion 138 is formed with a guided surface 138a that swells rightward from the front end toward the rear and extends obliquely upward to the right and inclines. The guided surface 138a is guided in contact with the left end of the front sealing opening / closing part 113 when the front sealing opening / closing part 113 rotates rearward. That is, when the front-side sealing opening / closing part 113 rotates from the normal position toward the opening position for mounting, the guided surface 138a is pushed and guided by the left end of the front-side sealing opening / closing part 113, The left sealing opening / closing part 133 rotates around the left connecting shaft 132 and moves from the normal position toward the open position. In the third embodiment, when the front sealing opening / closing portion 113 rotates backward by an angle θ, the inclination angle of the guided surface 138a is such that the left sealing opening / closing portion 133 moves to the open position of FIG. 20B. Is set.

Further, in FIGS. 18 and 20, as an example of a guided part for separation, the right side of the sealing opening / closing part 133 protrudes to the right and can contact the left end of the sealing opening / closing part 123 on the rear side. A rear protrusion 139 is formed. The rear protrusion 139 is configured to be front-rear symmetrical with the front protrusion 138. The rear protrusion 139 is configured to move the left sealing opening / closing portion 133 to the open position when the rear sealing opening / closing portion 123 moves to the release opening position. Since only the front protrusion 138 is different, a detailed description is omitted.
A sealing plate 48 ″ on the left side of the third embodiment is configured by the sealing lifting / lowering portion 131, the connecting shaft 132, the sealing opening / closing portion 133, the stretchable sheets 136 and 137, the front protruding portion 138, and the rear protruding portion 139. Yes.

  18 and 20, the right sealing plate 49 ″ is configured to be bilaterally symmetrical with the left sealing plate 48 ″, and includes a left sealing elevating part 131, a connecting shaft 132, a sealing opening / closing part 133, The right and left sealing lifting and lowering parts 141, the connecting shaft 142, the sealing opening and closing part 143, the stretching sheets 146 and 147, which are symmetrically configured with respect to the elastic sheets 136 and 137, the front protruding part 138 and the rear protruding part 139, the front side Since only the point having the protruding portion 148 and the rear protruding portion 149 is different from the left sealing plate 48 ″, the detailed description of the right sealing plate 49 ″ is omitted.

In the sealing skirt 45 ″ of the third embodiment, when a negative pressure is formed in the suction space 37, the front and rear, right and left sealing opening / closing portions 113, 123, 133, and 143 have a force in a direction of rotating inward. receive.
Here, the left and right sealing opening / closing portions 133 and 143 are regulated by stoppers and do not rotate inward in the left-right direction.
On the other hand, when the front and rear sealing opening / closing parts 113 and 123 try to rotate inward in the front / rear direction due to negative pressure, the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 come into contact with the protrusions 138, 139, 148 and 149 and The sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 are to be rotated outward in the left-right direction. At this time, as described above, the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 receive a force inward in the left and right direction due to the negative pressure, and the elastic sheets 136, 137, 146 and 147 of the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 are provided. Due to the restoring force of the left and right, the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 are likely to be held in the normal position. Therefore, the front and rear sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 123 are also difficult to rotate inward in the front-rear direction.

(Operation of Example 3)
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment when the paper feed tray is detached. FIG. 21A is a diagram for explaining the state in which the paper feed tray is moved to the mounting position. FIG. FIG. 21C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the rear side guide and the rear side sealing opening / closing portion are in contact with each other, FIG. 21C is a rear side sealing opening / closing portion as the paper feed tray moves forward from the state of FIG. FIG. 21D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the paper feed tray has moved forward from the state of FIG. 21C and the left and right sealing opening / closing portions have moved to the open position, and FIG. 21E is an explanatory diagram of FIG. 21A. FIG. 21F is an explanatory diagram when viewed in the direction of arrow XXIF in FIG. 21B, FIG. 21G is an explanatory diagram when viewed in the direction of arrow XXIG in FIG. 21C, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state seen in the arrow XXIH direction.

  In the image forming apparatus U according to the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move forward from the attachment position toward the separation position, the rear side guide 13 ′ is sealed with the sealing skirt 45. It contacts the rear sealing plate 47 ". That is, as shown in FIGS. 21B and 21F, the rear side guide 13 ′ contacts the rib 124 of the rear sealing plate 47 ″. Further, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move forward, The rib 124 is pushed by the rear side guide 13 'and the entire rear sealing opening / closing portion 123 rotates forward as shown in Fig. 21C and Fig. 21G. The left and right ends of 123 are in contact with the rear protrusions 139 and 149 of the left and right sealing plates 48 ″ and 49 ″, and the left and right sealing opening and closing portions 133 and 143 are pushed outward in the left and right direction to rotate. Further, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 move forward and the rear sealing opening / closing portion 123 rotates forward by an angle θ from the normal position, as shown in FIGS. 21D and 21H, the left and right sealing opening / closing portions 48 ″, 49 ″ moved to open position and side Retracted from the inside to pass the id 13 '.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment following FIG. 21, and FIG. 22A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the paper feed tray is moved forward from the state shown in FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the sheet feeding tray has moved forward from the state of FIG. 22A and the rear side guide and the front sealing opening / closing portion are in contact with each other, and FIG. 22C is the state of FIG. 22B FIG. 22D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the paper feed tray has moved forward from the front and the front side sealing opening / closing portion has moved to the release open position, and FIG. 22D has moved forward from the state of FIG. 22E is an explanatory diagram of the state as viewed in the direction of arrow XXIIE in FIG. 22A, FIG. 22F is an explanatory diagram of the state as viewed in the direction of arrow XXIIF in FIG. 22B, and FIG. 22G is in the direction of arrow XXIIG in FIG. FIG. 22H is a diagram illustrating the state seen in FIG. It is an explanatory view showing a state as viewed in an arrow XXIIH direction.

Further, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 move forward, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22E, the rear sealing opening / closing portion 123 moves to the release opening position and passes through the side guide 13 ′. Retreat from the inside. Further, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 move forward, as shown in FIGS. 22B and 22F, the rear side sealing opening / closing portion 123 is separated from the rear side guide 13 ′, and the elastic sheets 136, It returns to the normal position by the restoring force and gravity of 137. At this time, the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133, 143 are spaced apart from the rear sealing opening / closing part 123 to return to the normal position, but come into contact with the upper right end 18 'of the side guide 13' and are in the open position. Retained.
Further, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move forward, the rear side guide 13 ′ comes into contact with the front sealing opening / closing portion 113 as shown in FIGS. 22B and 22F. Further, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 are moved forward, as shown in FIGS. 22C and 22G, the front sealing opening / closing portion 113 is rotated forward and moved to the release opening position, and the side guide 13 ' Retreat from the inside of the passage. At this time, the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 move away from the side guide 13 'to the normal position.

Further, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 move forward, the rear side guide 13 ′ passes through the sealing skirt 45 ″, and the sheet feeding trays TR1 and TR2 move to the separation positions shown in FIG. 22D.
When the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move rearward from the disengagement position toward the mounting position, the lower end 45a ″ of the sealing skirt 45 ″, that is, the sealing opening / closing portion of the sealing plates 46 ″ to 49 ″. 113 to 143 are pushed by the upper right end 18 'of the rear side guide 13', moved to the open position and retracted, so that the rear side guide 13 'passes through the sealing skirt 45 ".

Accordingly, also in the third embodiment, the upper end portions 18 '+ 19, 28' + 29 of the side guides 13 'and 23' are disposed above the position P1 of the lower end 45a "of the sealing skirt 45" in the lowered position. With the configuration, the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached. Therefore, also in the third embodiment, the side guide 13 'is disposed above the lower end 45a "of the sealing skirt 45", and as in the second embodiment, the MAX line is connected to the lower end 45a "of the sealing skirt 45". It is easy to reduce the protrusion and dropping of the recording sheet S while increasing the loading amount.
In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the taper portion of the side guide 13 'is omitted, and the recording sheet S is moved upward as compared with the configuration in which the side guide 13' is provided with the taper portion. Even when the sheets are stacked or the stacking plate 11 is raised, the recording sheets S can be easily aligned upward.

  Next, a description will be given of a paper feed tray according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first to third embodiments, and Detailed description thereof is omitted. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the third embodiment in other points.

(Description of Sealing Skirt 201 of Example 4)
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a paper feed tray according to the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 17 according to the third embodiment.
24 is an explanatory diagram of a sealing skirt of Example 4, FIG. 24A is an enlarged view of the sealing skirt, and FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIVB-XXIVB in FIG.
In FIGS. 23 and 24, a sealing skirt 201 as an example of a surrounding member of the fourth embodiment is configured in the same manner as in the third embodiment and the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. And front and rear sealing plates 46 ", 47".

(Description of side guides 213 and 223 of Example 4)
In FIG. 23, the side guides 213 and 223 of the fourth embodiment extend downward from the upper right end portions 18 ′ and 28 ′ and correspond to the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 in the suction head 32 at the suction position. Groove-shaped cutout portions 214, 215, 224, and 225 penetrating through are formed. The side guides 213 and 223 according to the fourth embodiment are configured in the same manner as the side guides 13 'and 23' according to the third embodiment except that the cut portions 214, 215, 224, and 225 are formed. Detailed descriptions of the guides 213 and 223 are omitted.

(Operation of Example 4)
In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the job is interrupted or terminated and the suction head 32 is moved to the suction position, the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached. At this time, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move in the front-rear direction, the notches 214 and 215 of the side guide 213 pass through the positions of the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49, and the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 and Does not touch. On the other hand, the upper right end portion 18 'of the side guide 213 passes through the positions of the front and rear sealing plates 46 "and 47" and comes into contact with the front and rear sealing plates 46 "and 47". Here, when the front and rear sealing plates 46 ″ and 47 ″ come into contact with the upper right end portion 18 ′ of the side guide 213, the front and rear as an example of the movable portion of the fourth embodiment is accompanied by the movement of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2. The sealing opening / closing portions 113 and 123 of the first side move from the normal position to the open position, the front and rear sealing opening / closing portions 113 and 123 retract from the inside through which the side guide 213 passes, and the rear side guide 213 is the sealing skirt. 201 is passed.

Therefore, also in the fourth embodiment, the upper end portions 18 ′ + 19 and 28 ′ + 29 of the side guides 213 and 223 are arranged at a position higher than the position P1 of the lower end 201a of the sealing skirt 201 at the lowered position. Paper trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached. Therefore, also in the fourth embodiment, the side guide 213 is disposed above the lower end 201a of the sealing skirt 201, and the MAX line is set closer to the lower end 211 of the sealing skirt 211 as in the third embodiment. Thus, it is easy to reduce the protrusion or fall of the recording sheet S while increasing the loading capacity.
In Example 4, instead of opening and closing the left and right sealing plates, the side guide 213 is provided with cutouts 214 and 215 to avoid contact between the sealing skirt 201 and the side guide 213. The configuration can be simplified.

  Next, the paper feed tray according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the details thereof will be described. The detailed explanation is omitted. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

(Description of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 of the fifth embodiment)
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the entire image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the paper feed tray according to the fifth embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment.
Here, regarding each of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 of the fifth embodiment, only the second paper feed tray TR2 will be described in detail, and the first paper feed tray TR1 is the same as the second paper feed tray TR2. Since it is a structure, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, a rack gear 301 is supported on the lower surface of the bottom plate 4 of the second paper feed tray TR2 as an example of a member to be transmitted that extends along the attachment / detachment direction of the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2. As an example of a transmission member, the rack gear 301 is engaged with a pinion gear 302 that is rotatably supported by a main body U2a of the paper feeding device U2. The pinion gear 302 receives a driving force from an attachment / detachment motor M2, which is an example of an attachment / detachment drive source, and rotates forward and backward. As a result, when the attachment / detachment motor M2 rotates forward and backward, a driving force is transmitted to the paper feed tray TR2 via the pinion gear 302 and the rack gear 301, and the paper feed tray TR2 moves between the attachment position and the separation position. .

In FIG. 25, the user interface UI according to the fifth embodiment includes an attach / detach key UIa for the first paper feed tray TR1 that drives the attach / detach motor M2 for the first paper feed tray TR1, and an attachment / detachment of the second paper feed tray TR2. A detachable key UIb for the second paper feed tray TR2 for driving the motor M2 is provided, and the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move when the detachable keys UIa and UIb are input.
That is, when the movement of the paper feed tray TR2 to the mounting position is detected by a detection member at the mounting position (not shown), when the mounting / demounting key UIb is input, the mounting / detaching motor M2 rotates forward, The paper feed tray TR2 is moved until it is detected by a detection member at a separation position (not shown), and is moved to the separation position. In addition, when the removal position detection member detects that the paper feed tray TR2 has moved to the separation position, when the attachment / detachment key UIb is input, the attachment / detachment motor M2 rotates in the reverse direction. The paper tray TR2 is moved until it is detected by the mounting position detection member, and is moved to the mounting position.
Note that side guides 13 'and 23' similar to those in the second embodiment are provided in the paper feed tray TR2 in the fifth embodiment.

(Description of suction head 22 of Example 5)
FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the suction head according to the fifth embodiment, FIG. 27A is a front view, and FIG. 27B is a plan view.
28 is a cross-sectional view of the suction head of Example 5, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. 27B.
27 and 28, the cover 61 'of the suction head 32 according to the fifth embodiment is provided with the front and rear, left and right sealing plates 46, 47, 48 and 49 as an example of the second gas suction opening. Corresponding to these, skirt suction ports 306, 307, 308, 309 are formed through the upper plate portion 61a 'in the vertical direction. The skirt suction ports 306 to 309 are connected to a space in which the upper ends of the front and rear, left and right sealing plates 46 to 49 move. That is, it is surrounded by the upper ends of the front and rear, right and left sealing plates 46 to 49, the side walls 36 to 39 of the head body 33, the upper plate portion 61a 'of the cover portion 61', and the side plate portions 61b to 61e of the cover portion 61 '. The skirt suction ports 306 to 309 are arranged on the inner side.

Accordingly, the second surrounding members 36 to 39 + 61a ′ + 61b of the fifth embodiment are formed by the side walls 36 to 39 of the head body 33, the upper plate portion 61a ′ of the cover portion 61 ′, the side plate portions 61b to 61e of the cover portion 61 ′, and the like. To 61e are configured. In addition, the space surrounded by the side walls 36 to 39 of the head main body 33, the upper plate portion 61a 'of the cover portion 61', and the side plate portions 61b to 61e of the cover portion 61 'is used for the second object of the fifth embodiment. An intake space 311 for a sealing skirt as an example of an enclosed space is configured, and the end of the sealing skirt intake air space 311 that is separated from the stacking plate 11 in the front, rear, left, and right sealing plates 46 to 49, that is, The upper end passes through.
In the fifth embodiment, the skirt intake ports 306 to 309 are arranged outside the side walls 36 to 39 of the head main body 33, and the intake port 41 is arranged inside the side walls 36 to 39. The intake space 311 and the intake space 51 are separated by being separated by the side walls 36 to 39 of the head body 33.

In FIG. 27, a connecting duct 312 as an example of a second connection portion is supported on the front plate portion 61a ′ of the cover portion 61 ′. The connecting duct 312 has four openings 312a provided at the rear corresponding to the skirt suction ports 306 to 309, and a front opening 312b that is spatially connected to the four openings 312a.
One end of a bellows 313 as an example of a second flexible member is connected to the opening 312b on the front side of the connecting duct 312. The other end of the bellows 313 is an example of a suction device for a surrounding member. The second exhaust fan HF2 is connected.
Here, cylindrical tubes 316, 317, 318, and 319 as examples of cylindrical members are disposed between the connecting duct 312 and the skirt suction ports 306 to 309, and the tubes 316 to 319 are disposed. Are connected to the skirt suction ports 306 to 309, and the other ends of the tubes 316 to 319 are connected to the opening 312 a of the connecting duct 312.

Therefore, the second exhaust fan HF2 is connected to the skirt suction ports 306 to 309 via the tubes 316 to 317, the connecting duct 312 and the bellows 313. Therefore, when the second exhaust fan HF2 is driven, gas and air in the sealing skirt intake space 311 are exhausted from the skirt suction ports 306 to 309. When gas or air is exhausted from the intake space 311 for the sealing skirt, the sealing skirt 45 is sealed by the air flow accompanying the exhaust or the negative pressure formed in the intake space 311 for the sealing skirt. The stop plates 46 to 49 are attracted and lifted.
The second exhaust fan HF2, the tubes 316 to 317, the connecting duct 312, the bellows 313, and the like constitute the moving device IS of the fifth embodiment.

  Note that the second exhaust fan HF2 of the fifth embodiment is controlled by the control unit C1 that controls the driving of the second exhaust fan HF2. The control means C1 is configured to drive the second exhaust fan HF2 when the paper feed tray TR2 is attached and detached. That is, when the attach / detach key UIb of the paper feed tray TR2 is input, the control means C1 drives the second exhaust fan HF2 to suck the gas in the air intake space 311 for the sealing skirt, and seals it. The skirt 45 is moved from the lowered position to the raised position, and when the detachable motor M2 is stopped, the second exhaust fan HF2 is stopped.

(Operation of Example 5)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the fifth embodiment having the above-described configuration, when it is detected that the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are moved to the mounting positions, when the attach / detach keys UIa and UIb are input, The second exhaust fan HF2 is driven, a negative pressure is formed in the intake space 311 for the sealing skirt, and the sealing plates 46 to 49 of the sealing skirt 45 are adsorbed to the raised position as an example of the overlap elimination position. Moving. At this time, the attachment / detachment motor M2 rotates forward with the input of the attachment / detachment keys U1a and UIb, and the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move forward from the attachment position toward the separation position. Accordingly, the sealing skirt 45 is retracted from the inner side through which the rear side guide 13 'passes, and the upper right end portion 18' of the rear side guide 13 'passes through the sealing skirt 45 forward and passes through the paper feed tray. TR1 and TR2 move toward the separation position. When it is detected that the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 have moved to the separation position, the attachment / detachment motor M2 is stopped, the second exhaust fan HF2 is stopped, and the sealing skirt 45 can be supplied with its own weight. It moves to the lowered position as an example.

Similarly, when the attachment / detachment keys UIa and UIb are input in a state where the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are moved to the separation positions, the second exhaust fan HF2 is driven and the sealing skirt 45 is adsorbed. The side guide 13 'is retracted from the inside through which the side guide 13' passes, and the attachment / detachment motor M2 rotates in the reverse direction, so that the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move rearward from the disengagement position toward the attachment position. Therefore, the upper right end portion 18 'of the rear side guide 13' passes through the sealing skirt 45 rearward, and the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 move to the mounting position.
Therefore, also in the fifth embodiment, the upper end portions 18 '+ 19, 28' + 29 of the side guides 13 ', 23' are arranged above the position P1 of the lower end 45a of the sealing skirt 45 in the lowered position. The paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached. Therefore, also in the fifth embodiment, the side guide 13 ′ is disposed above the lower end 45 a of the sealing skirt 45, and the MAX line is set closer to the lower end 45 a of the sealing skirt 45 as in the first embodiment. Thus, it is easy to reduce the protrusion or dropping of the recording sheet S while increasing the loading amount.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H016) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration of the copying machine is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus U. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and can be applied to a printer, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions. It is. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus of an arbitrary image forming system such as an ink jet recording system, a thermal head system, or a lithographic printer. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multi-color developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a monochromatic, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus.

(H02) In each of the above embodiments, the sealing skirts 45, 45 ', 45 ", 201 have front, rear, left and right sealing plates 45-49, 45'-49', 45" -49 ". Although the structure which the stop plates 45-49 '' move as a single unit was illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, each of the front and rear, left and right sealing plates 45 to 49 ″ can be configured to have a plurality of sealing plates. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of strip-shaped plates are separated from each other. It is possible to have a configuration in which the sealing plate is moved along the surface shape of the bent recording sheet S. For example, the sealing plate includes an upper plate, a middle plate, a lower plate, and the like. The upper plate is supported by a middle plate so that it can be raised and lowered via a pin, and the lower plate is supported by a middle plate so that it can be raised and lowered via a pin. A configuration in which the lower end of the sealing skirt moves between the lowered position and the raised position by extending and contracting in the vertical direction is also possible.

(H03) In each of the above embodiments, the configuration in which the recording sheet S larger than the size of the suction head 32 is sucked is exemplified, and the front side guides 23 to 223 corresponding to the front of the attaching / detaching direction and the end orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction are illustrated. The guide 12 exemplifies a configuration that does not pass through the sealing skirts 45 to 201 when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached, but is not limited thereto. That is, in the case where the front side guides 23 to 223 and the end guide 12 pass through the sealing skirts 45 to 201, the front side guides 23 to 223 and the end guide 12, and the sealing skirts 45 to 201, The configuration of the present application such as the rear side guides 13 to 213 may be applied to the front side guides 23 to 223, the end guide 12, and the sealing skirts 45 to 201 in consideration of the positional relationship and the passing direction. Is possible. When a recording sheet S smaller than the size of the suction head 32 is stacked on the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2, the height of the front and rear side guides can be made higher than the lower ends of the sealing skirts 45 to 201. The alignment accuracy of the recording sheets S can be ensured as compared with the case where the height of the side guides is lower than the lower ends of the sealing skirts 45 to 201.

(H04) In each of the above-described embodiments, the rear side guides 13 to 213 and the front side guides 23 to 223 are configured to be symmetrical in the front-rear direction, but the front side guides 23 to 223 are all It is possible to replace the configuration of the front side guide 23 'in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the front side guides 23 to 223 can have any shape and configuration as long as the MAX lines corresponding to the MAX lines of the rear side guides 13 to 213 can be set.
(H05) In Example 3, the sealing plates 45 ″ to 49 ″ are provided with the connecting shafts 112, 122, 132, 142, and the sealing opening / closing portions 113, 123, 133, 143 are the sealing lifting / lowering portions. A configuration in which the connecting shafts 112 to 142 are rotated with respect to 111, 121, 131, and 141 is desirable, but a configuration in which the connecting shafts 112 to 142 are omitted is possible. For example, instead of omitting the connecting shafts 112 to 142, a clearance is provided between the sealing lifting and lowering parts 111 to 141 and the sealing opening and closing parts 113 to 143, and the sealing opening and closing parts 113 to 143 are sealed. A structure that swings and moves between a normal position and an open position in a state of being hung by stretchable sheets 116, 117, 126, 127, 136, 137, 146, and 147 with respect to the stop lifting parts 111 to 141. Is possible.

(H06) In the third embodiment, the configuration in which the stretchable sheets 116 to 147 are provided on both surfaces of the sealing plates 46 ″ to 49 ″ is exemplified. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the stretchable sheets 116 to 147 are disposed only on one side. A configuration can be provided. Moreover, in the said Example 3, when the expansion-contraction sheets 116-147 are arrange | positioned in the state straddling the sealing raising / lowering part 111,121,131,141 and the sealing opening / closing part 113,123,133,143. Although the configuration supported by any of the sealing lifting and lowering portions 111 to 141 and the sealing opening and closing portions 113 to 143 is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sealing opening and closing portions 113 to 143 are not supported. The structure supported only by the sealing raising / lowering parts 111-141 is possible. In this case, the sealing opening / closing parts 113 to 143 come into contact with the elastic sheets 116 to 147 arranged in the rotating direction and elastically deform the elastic sheets 116 to 147 arranged in the rotating direction.
(H07) In the third embodiment, the sealing plates 46 ″ to 49 ″ are examples of rotation regulating members, and a configuration in which rubber plate-like stretchable sheets 116 to 147 as examples of elastic members are supported is illustrated. However, it is not limited to this. For example, instead of the stretchable sheets 116 to 147, a metallic leaf spring can be arranged. Moreover, it is possible to use a torsion spring in place of the elastic sheets 116 to 147, attach the torsion spring to the connecting shafts 112, 122, 132, 142, and support one end on the sealing lift parts 111 to 141, A configuration in which the other end is supported by the sealing opening / closing parts 113 to 143 and an urging force to return the sealing opening / closing parts 113 to 143 to the normal position is also possible.

(H08) In the third embodiment, the sealing opening / closing portions 113 and 123 of the front and rear sealing plates 46 ″ and 47 ″ have the protruding portions 138, 139, 148 and 149 of the left and right sealing plates 48 ″ and 49 ″. The configuration in which the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 are opened and closed by pressing is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the front sealing plate 46 ″, the connecting shaft 112 is configured to be rotatable integrally with the sealing opening / closing portion 113, and the connecting shaft 112 is extended in the front-rear direction. It is also possible to provide a member for moving the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 and to move the left and right sealing opening / closing parts 133 and 143 by the rotation of the connecting shaft 112.
(H09) In the third and fourth embodiments, the sealing skirts 45 ″ and 201 move between the raised position and the lowered position, and the sealing opening / closing sections 113 to 143 are between the normal position and the opened position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sealing lifting portions 111 to 141 of the sealing skirts 45 ″ and 201 are fixed to the head body 33 and do not move in the vertical direction. A configuration in which only the portions 113, 123, 133, and 143 rotate between the normal position and the open position is also possible.

(H010) In the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the recording sheet S is adsorbed by the exhaust fan HF and the sealing skirt 45 is adsorbed by the second exhaust fan HF2 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. The suction device can also be used as an exhaust fan HF for sucking the recording sheet S. For example, the exhaust fan HF, the suction bellows 62 for sucking the recording sheet S, and the suction bellows 312 for the sealing skirt 45 are connected via a so-called three-way solenoid valve so that the paper feed tray TR1 is at the mounting position. When moving, the suction destination is switched to the suction space 51 for attracting the recording sheet S, and when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are not in the mounting position, the suction destination is switched to the suction space 311 for the sealing skirt, A configuration in which suction is performed by the exhaust fan HF is possible.
(H011) The above embodiments can be combined. For example, in the second embodiment, the side guide 18 ′ has no tapered portion, and the sealing skirt 45 ′ is provided with the tapered portions 106 to 109, but the side guide 13 is combined with the configuration of the first embodiment. It is also possible to provide a taper part 18 in '. For example, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the left and right sealing skirts 48 and 49 are avoided by the notches 214 and 215 of the side guide 213 when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached. The cutout portions 214 and 215 are omitted, and the left and right sealing plates 48 and 49 are configured to be sucked by the second exhaust fan HF2 as in the fifth embodiment, so that the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are sucked. It is also possible to attach and detach.

(H012) In each of the above embodiments, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached, the sealing skirts 45 to 201 are moved and retracted from the inside of the portion through which the rear side guides 13 to 213 pass. Although the configuration is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR1 are attached and detached, the side guides 13 to 213 move away from the inside through which the sealing skirts 45 to 201 pass relatively. It is also possible to configure. For example, in the first embodiment, the entire taper portion 18 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the side guide 13, and the taper portion 18 is held at a height L1 by an elastic member, so that the paper feed tray TR1 is configured. , TR2 is attached and detached, and when the sealing skirt 45 and the taper portion 18 come into contact, the taper portion 18 moves downward against the elastic force of the elastic member, so that the sealing skirt 45 relatively passes. A configuration in which the taper portion 18 of the side guide 13 is retracted from the inner side and the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 can be attached and detached is possible.

Further, for example, regarding the third and fourth embodiments, instead of the configuration in which the sealing plates 46 ″ to 49 ″ of the sealing skirts 45 ″ and 201 are rotated, the side guides 13 ′ and 213 are rotated to supply paper. When the trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached, if the sealing skirt and the side guide come into contact with each other, the side guide moves to the open position, so that the side guide is retracted from the inside through which the sealing skirt passes relatively. A configuration in which the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 can be attached and detached is possible.
That is, in each of the above-described embodiments, the sealing skirts 45 and 45 ′ and the sealing opening / closing portions 113 to 143 of the sealing skirts 45 ″ and 201 are illustrated as movable portions, but the side guides 13 are movable. It is also possible to provide a portion and move between a supplyable position where the recording sheet S sucked by the suction head 22 can be supplied and an overlap elimination position where the overlap between the sealing skirt and the side guide is eliminated. It is also possible to provide a movable part on both the sealing skirt and the side guide 13.
In the case of a configuration in which the side guide moves and retracts from the inside through which the sealing skirt passes relatively, a configuration in which the sealing skirt is fixed to the head body 33 and does not move up and down is also possible.

(H013) In the fifth embodiment, when the attachment / detachment keys UIa and UIb are input, the second exhaust fan HF2 is driven and the sealing skirt 45 is retracted upward, and the attachment / detachment motor M2 is driven and supplied. Although the configuration in which the paper trays TR1 and TR2 are attached and detached has been illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are configured to be manually attached and detached and it is detected that the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are displaced from the mounting position, the second exhaust fan HF2 is driven to perform sealing. A configuration in which the skirt 45 is retracted is also possible.

(H014) In the fifth embodiment, the moving device IS having the second exhaust fan HF2 is driven, and the sealing skirt 45 is adsorbed and retracted upward. It is not limited to the structure which has. For example, the moving device can be configured to use a reel capable of winding a wire, and when the wire extending from the reel is connected to the sealing skirt 45 and the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are detached, When the motor is rotated and the reel is wound to retract the sealing skirt, and when the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are moved to the mounting position, the motor is rotated in reverse to loosen the wire and loosen the sealing skirt 45 by its own weight. A configuration for returning to the lowered position is possible. Further, for example, the moving device can be configured to use a solenoid, and when the movable part of the solenoid is connected to the sealing skirt 45 and the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are detached, the solenoid is turned on. When the movable skirt is pulled to retract the sealing skirt and the paper feed trays TR1 and TR2 are moved to the mounting position, the solenoid can be turned off to return the sealing skirt 45 to the lowered position by its own weight. is there.

(H015) In the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the sealing skirt 45 as an example of the movable portion is retracted upward when the detachable keys UIa and UIb are input is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the modified example (H011), in the configuration in which the movable portion is provided in the side guide 13, the movable portion provided in the side guide 13 is configured to be movable by driving a solenoid or a motor, and the detachable keys UIa, UIb Is input, the solenoid and the motor are driven, and the movable portion of the side guide 13 can be supplied to the supply position where the recording sheet S sucked by the suction head 22 can be supplied, and the sealing skirt and the side guide. It is also possible to have a configuration in which movement is performed between the overlap elimination positions for eliminating the overlap.

(H016) In the fifth embodiment, when the detachable keys UIa and UIb are inputted, the moving device IS having the second exhaust fan HF2 is driven, and the sealing skirt 45 as an example of the movable portion is moved upward. Although the configuration for retracting is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration for retracting the sealing skirt 45 by moving the suction head 32 by driving the head driving devices 76 to 79 + M1 is possible. For example, the suction head 32 is configured to be movable further leftward than the suction position, and a pin projecting forward is provided at the front upper and lower central portion of the front sealing plate 46, and the rear side is provided. Pins protruding rearward are provided at the upper and lower central portions of the rear surface of the sealing plate 47, and pins protruding outward in the front-rear direction are provided at the upper and lower central portions of both front and rear sealing plates 48 and 49. Further, the pins of the sealing plates 46 to 49 that are inclined to the left from the lower side of the pins of the sealing plates 46 to 49 to the left with respect to the suction head 32 at the suction position. Is provided on the main body U2a of the paper feeding device U2, and when the detachable keys U1a and UIb are input, the suction head 32 is moved further to the left than the suction position, and the sealing plate A configuration is possible in which the pins 46 to 49 are guided upward by the guide portion and the sealing skirt 45 is moved to the upper overlap elimination position.

11: Loading member,
13, 13 ', 213 ... end alignment member,
18 ... Guide part,
18a: an inclined part for detachment of the guide part,
18c: an inclined part for mounting the guide part,
18 + 19, 18 '+ 19 ... the end of the end aligning member on the holding member side,
21 ... Holding member,
33 ... holding member body,
41 ... opening for gas suction,
45, 45 '... enclosing member, movable part 45 ", 201 ... enclosing member,
45a, 45a ', 45a ", 201a ... the end of the surrounding member on the stacking member side,
51 ... Surrounded space,
106, 107, 108, 109 ... guided portion,
106a, 107a, 108a, 109a ... inclined portions for mounting the guided portions;
106c, 107c, 108c, 109c ... inclined portions for detachment of the guided portion,
111, 121, 131, 141 ... the body of the enclosing member,
113, 123, 133, 143 ... movable parts,
306, 307, 308, 309 ... second gas suction opening,
311 ... second enclosure space,
36-39 + 61a '+ 61b-61e ... 2nd surrounding member,
C1 ... control means,
IS ... Moving device,
HF ... suction device,
HF2: suction device for the surrounding member,
Ra: conveying member,
S ... medium
TR1, TR2 ... container,
U: Image forming apparatus,
U2 ... Medium supply device,
U2a ... device body,
U3b: Image recording unit.

Claims (9)

An apparatus main body to which a storage container for storing a medium is mounted;
The receiving container that is detachably supported between a mounting position mounted on the apparatus main body and a disengagement position separated from the outer side of the apparatus main body compared to the mounting position;
A loading member that is supported inside the container and on which a medium is loaded;
A holding member body disposed opposite to the stacking member of the storage container moved to the mounting position and supported so as to be movable along the conveyance direction of the medium, and for gas suction formed in the holding member body And an enclosure member that is disposed so as to surround the gas suction opening and that extends from the holding member main body toward the stacking member, and is formed inside the enclosure member and surrounded by the enclosure member An enclosed space and a suction device that is connected to the gas suction opening and sucks the gas in the enclosed space. A holding member for adsorbing and holding the medium at the end of
A conveying member that is disposed downstream of the holding member in the conveying direction of the medium and conveys the medium adsorbed by the holding member toward the downstream side;
An end alignment member that is supported inside the storage container and is capable of aligning an edge of a medium that comes into contact with and contacts an edge of a medium loaded on the stacking member, and the medium is placed on the stacking member. The stacked member extends in the stacking direction, which is the direction in which the media overlap, and the end of the holding member main body is disposed closer to the holding member main body than the end of the surrounding member on the stacking member side An edge alignment member;
A movable portion provided on at least one of the end aligning member and the holding member corresponding to an overlapping region where the end aligning member and the surrounding member overlap in a direction in which the storage container is attached and detached, Is supported so as to be movable between a supplyable position where it can be sucked and supplied, and an overlap elimination position where the overlap between the end alignment member and the surrounding member is eliminated by retreating from the inside of the overlap region. The movable part that moves from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position when the storage container is attached and detached;
A medium supply apparatus comprising: The movable portion configured by the surrounding member supported so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the stacking member, and the supplyable position capable of sucking the medium stacked on the stacking member; The movable part that moves between the overlap elimination position set in a direction away from the stacking member compared to the supplyable position;
The movable member is provided at the end aligning member and is disposed at a position in contact with the end of the surrounding member on the stacking member side when the container is attached or detached, and when the container is attached or detached A guide portion that contacts and pushes the movable portion to the overlap elimination position;
The medium supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: An inclined portion for mounting the guide portion formed in a portion on the downstream side of the guide portion with respect to the mounting direction, which is a direction in which the storage container moves from the separation position to the mounting position. When moving from the downstream side toward the upstream side, the movable portion is inclined in the direction from the supplyable position toward the overlap elimination position, and the container moves toward the downstream side in the mounting direction. An inclined portion for mounting the guide portion that contacts and guides the movable portion from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position;
An inclined portion for detachment of the guide portion formed at a portion on the upstream side of the guide portion with respect to the mounting direction, from the supply possible position as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the mounting direction. Inclination in the direction toward the overlap elimination position, and when the storage container moves toward the upstream side in the mounting direction, the movable portion comes into contact with the movable portion from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position. An inclined part for detachment of the guide part to be guided to
The medium supply device according to claim 2, further comprising: The movable portion configured by the surrounding member supported so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the stacking member, and the supplyable position capable of sucking the medium stacked on the stacking member; The movable part that moves between the overlap elimination position set in a direction away from the stacking member compared to the supplyable position;
It is provided in the surrounding member and is disposed at a position that contacts the end of the end aligning member on the holding member main body side when the storage container is attached and detached, and the end when the storage container is attached and detached. A guided portion that is pushed in contact with the aligning member and guided to the overlap elimination position;
The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: An inclined portion for mounting the guided portion formed in a portion upstream of the guided portion with respect to the mounting direction, which is a direction in which the storage container moves from the separation position to the mounting position. When the container is inclined from the supplyable position toward the downstream side in the direction opposite to the direction from the supply possible position toward the duplication elimination position, and the container moves toward the downstream side in the mounting direction. An inclined portion for mounting the guided portion guided to the overlap elimination position from the supplyable position by contacting the end alignment member;
An inclined portion for detachment of the guided portion formed in a downstream portion of the guided portion with respect to the mounting direction, and can be supplied from the downstream side to the upstream side in the mounting direction. When the storage container is inclined toward the upstream side of the mounting direction, it is in contact with the end aligning member when the storage container moves toward the upstream side in the mounting direction. An inclined portion for detachment of the guided portion guided to a cancellation position;
The medium supply device according to claim 4, further comprising: The movable portion configured by the surrounding member supported so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the stacking member, and the supplyable position capable of sucking the medium stacked on the stacking member; The movable part that moves between the overlap elimination position set in a direction away from the stacking member compared to the supplyable position;
A moving device for moving the movable part;
Control means for controlling driving of the moving device, wherein the control device drives the moving device to move the movable portion from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position when the container is attached or detached. When,
The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: A second gas suction opening formed at a position different from the gas suction opening and formed corresponding to an end of the surrounding member on the side away from the stacking member;
A second enclosing member surrounding the second gas suction opening;
A second enclosing space formed inside the second enclosing member and surrounded by the second enclosing member and separated from the enclosing space; from the stacking member of the enclosing member The second enclosed space that passes when the end on the side to be separated moves between the supplyable position and the overlap elimination position;
The moving device having a suction device for a surrounding member that is connected to the second gas suction opening and sucks the gas in the second enclosed space and sucks the surrounding member;
The control means for controlling driving of the suction device for the surrounding member, wherein when the storage container is attached or detached, the suction device for the surrounding member causes the gas in the second enclosed space to be sucked. The control means for moving the movable part from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position;
The medium supply device according to claim 6, further comprising: A body of an enclosure member provided on the enclosure member and extending from the holding member body toward the stacking member;
The movable part extending from the surrounding member body to the stacking member side and supported to be swingable with respect to the surrounding member body, and extending from the surrounding member body to the stacking member side and loading When the supplyable position where the medium loaded on the member can be adsorbed and the overlap elimination position inclined with respect to the main body of the surrounding member are supported so as to be movable, and the container is attached or detached The movable part that is pushed by the end alignment member and moves from the supplyable position to the overlap elimination position;
The medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: A medium supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image recording unit for recording an image on a medium supplied from the medium supply device;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images