Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Takahiro Shinga

Hiroshi Tanabe

Hiroshi Fujiwara

Kunio Hibi

Katsumi Kurihara

Masanori Matsuda

Satoshi Takanashi

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet feeding tray, a lock mechanism that locks the sheet feeding tray, a sheet feeding unit that feeds sheets from the sheet feeding tray one by one, an opening and closing unit that opens and closes a conveyance path, a sheet detecting sensor that detects presence of a sheet at a position at which the opening and closing unit is arranged, and a state detecting unit that detects a state of the opening and closing unit. When the sheet detecting sensor detects that a sheet is stuck during conveyance of the sheet, the lock mechanism locks the sheet feeding tray not to be drawn out, and unlock the sheet feeding tray after the opening and closing unit opens the conveyance path.

Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus

A paper feeding device and method, wherein a tray including a paper loading unit, a paper feeding device, a paper cutting device is slid out of a main body of an image forming apparatus. When a new rolled transfer paper is loaded in the paper loading unit, the rolled transfer paper is conveyed so that a tip portion thereof is discharged from a rolled transfer paper outlet of the tray. The discharged tip portion of the rolled transfer paper is cut by the paper cutting device.

Method and device for feeding and cutting a rolled transfer paper with improved operability

A paper roll supporting apparatus in which circular cylindrical flange members are tightly fitted to both ends of the paper roll and the outer circumferential surface of the respective flange members are pivotally supported by rotatable bodies. The respective rotatable bodies for pivotally supporting the respective flange members include at least two rollers which are arranged around the flange members, the axis lines of which are parallel with each other. The rollers are provided so as to be rotatably mounted respectively on receiving stands capable of changing the position thereof to coincide with the width of the paper roll. By improving the flange member, the structure of the member can be made simplified, the cost can be reduced, and the ease of setting the paper roll can be improved.

Paper roll supporting apparatus

A paper roll supporting device for an image forming apparatus includes a pair of flange members to be inserted into opposite ends of a paper roll. Each flange member includes a flange body made up of a flange portion and a cylindrical support portion that is to be inserted into a tubular core included in the paper roll. A claw member has a plurality of claws capable of protruding from the outer circumference of the support portion. A biasing member exerts a pressure on the claw member. Pressing means is slidable in a direction in which the biasing member is compressible. The pressing means receives one end of the biasing member and contacts the inner circumference of the support portion. A lock/release lever is capable of being brought down for causing the pressing means to slide. The claw member causes its pawls to flare in the radial direction when pressed in the axial direction of the support portion. The device with this configuration can be easily locked to the paper roll.

Paper roll supporting device for an image forming apparatus

A highly reliable sheet feed device for a copier, facsimile apparatus, printer or similar image forming apparatus and having a plurality of sheet storing portions which are arranged substantially horizontally and serially in an intended direction of sheet transport. The device surely feeds sheets from the storing portions one by one and eliminate sheet jams and defective sheet feed. Further, the device is simple and miniature and capable of accommodating a plurality of kinds of sheets therein.

Growing community of inventors

Chiba, Japan

Takahiro Shinga