Sheet feeding and image forming apparatus and method

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention:

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a sheet feeding apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus, such as a copier, a facsimile, a printer, etc., and more particularly to a sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet containing tray having a side guide member that aligns side ends of sheets set on the sheet containing tray and withdrawable from the image forming apparatus in a direction perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction.

Discussion of the Background:

[0002] A so-called front loading type sheet feeding apparatus has been known in the past. Specifically, it includes a sheet containing tray withdrawable from a housed position to a front side of the apparatus body, a sheet feeding device for feeding sheets in a direction almost perpendicular to the withdrawal direction of the sheet containing tray, and a pair of side guide members extending in parallel to a sheet feeding direction for aligning side ends of the sheets. As illustrated in Fig. 7, a pair of side fences 101 and 102 is arranged and aligns side ends of sheets (P) in a widthwise direction (B) perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction (A) on a sheet containing tray 100 of such a type of a sheet feeding apparatus. Also provided is an end fence 103 so as to align a sheet-trailing end in an upstream side of the sheet feeding direction (A).

[0003] The sheets (P) are raised by a bottom plate lifting apparatus (not shown) and then fed by the sheet feeding device such as a feeding roller when the uppermost sheet reaches a sheet feeding position located at a prescribed height for the sheet feeding device. In the sheet feeding apparatus, when the sheets are fed and sheet jam occurs on the sheet containing tray, a leading end of a jam sheet possibly remains in the vicinity of the feeding roller. Thus, when a user draws the sheet containing tray 100 in the direction (B) in order to remove the jam sheet P, the jam sheet P can unfortunately climb over a rear side fence 101. In particular, when a small size sheet is utilized, a problem sometimes arises such that the small size sheet sneaks through a gap (s) formed between a right side wall 100' of the sheet containing tray and the rear side fence 101, and remains in the apparatus body as illustrated by a dotted line in Fig. 7. When the jam sheet P' having climbed over the side fence 101 remains in the apparatus body, it is difficult for a user to remove the same, and "call jam" requiring a request to a service person arises. Accordingly, a prompt jam recovery operation is disadvantageously not achieved. As a result, a working ratio is lowered.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 9-77291 refers to a sheet remaining avoiding mechanism used for the similar purpose. Specifically, a protruding section is upwardly formed from the rear side fence 101, and is setback from a rear side of a sheet setting range (i.e., a rear side end of a sheet). Thus, when the sheet containing tray is withdrawn, the jam sheet P' collides the rear side-fence 101 and is largely bent. However, it is not blocked by the protruding section and climbs over the side fence and protruding section. If the protruding section hangs over at a position certainly higher than a side fence upper surface, a jam sheet climbing over can surely be blocked. However, due to multi-step tendency in sheet containing trays of an image forming apparatus of recent date, a height per a step is suppressed, and as a result, that of the vertically protruding section can not sufficiently be assigned.

[0005] Further, the sheet remaining avoiding mechanism of Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 9-175677 has a complex configuration. Specifically, sheet replenishment is disadvantageously difficult because a pair of sheet suppressing members largely horizontally protrudes from respective rear side and front side fences 101 and 102 toward a sheet stack range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeding apparatus, an image forming apparatus and a method, preventing a sheet having a small size from getting jammed, which is generally caused because its trailing end tends to sneak into the gap formed between the right side wall and the rear side fence.

[0007] The aforementioned object is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims are directed to advantageous embodiments.

[0008] Advantageously is provided a sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet containing tray withdrawable from a housed position to a front side of an apparatus body. It is further advantageously provided a sheet-feeding device so as to feed a sheet on the sheet containing tray in a direction perpendicular to the withdrawal direction of the sheet containing tray. A pair of side aligning members is also advantageously provided so as to align widthwise ends of the sheets on the sheet containing tray. The aligning member of the rear side in the withdrawal direction includes a hitching member horizontally protruding toward a sheet setting range and hitch and prevent sheet from remaining when the sheet containing tray is withdrawn. The hitching member includes a protruding plate so as to overhang the uppermost sheet set on the sheet containing tray at a position a prescribed length down-stream of a downstream end of the rear side-aligning member. A joining member is also provided so as to join the protruding plate and the rear side aligning member. The joining member positions a prescribed length behind a rear side end of the sheets aligned by the rear side-aligning member.

[0009] In another embodiment, the protruding plate slightly protrudes from the rear side end of the sheets.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the protruding plate includes a slant and bending portion at its front side or rear side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus employing sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view for illustrating the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention;

Figs. 3A and 3B are enlarged explanatory charts illustrating a main section and a cross sectional view along the I-I line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view along the II-II line of Fig. 2 for illustrating a bending condition of a sheet on a sheet containing tray;

Figs. 5A and 5B are enlarged explanatory charts for illustrating a main section and a cross sectional view along the III-III line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view for illustrating a sheet containing tray in the sheet feeding apparatus;

Fig. 7 is perspective view for illustrating a conventional- sheet feeding apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a schematic chart for illustrating a second hitching member according to the present invention; and

Fig. 9 is a chart for illustrating a condition when a jam sheet climbs over a first-hitching member in the sheet feeding apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in particular to Fig. 1, a schematic front view of an image forming apparatus having an exemplary sheet feeding apparatus is illustrated. In the drawing, a sheet containing tray attaching section may be formed in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to attach a sheet containing tray 2 or the like. Three sheet containing trays 2 may be typically arranged and are enabled to slide back and forth on rails 14 as illustrated in Fig. 6. Thus the sheet containing tray 2 may be withdrawable from the apparatus body 1 in a forward direction show by an arrow (B) from a front side of the apparatus body 1 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0013] One of sheet containing trays 2 is now described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5 illustrating cross sectional views along I-I, II-II, III-III lines of Fig. 2, respectively. In Figs. 2 to 4, the sheet containing tray 2 may include a pair of side fences 3 and 4 serving as side aligning members for aligning both side ends of a sheet P in a widthwise direction almost perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction shown by an arrow A. Also included may be an end fence 5 for aligning a trailing end of the sheet P directing the sheet feeding direction A. Such a sheet P may be set onto a bottom plate 6 as illustrated in Fig. 3. A bottom plate elevation apparatus may be provided and include an elevation arm 7 for lifting the bottom plate 6 and an elevation shaft 8 for rotating the elevation arm 7 below the bottom plate 6. An elevation motor 9 may be provided in the apparatus body 1 and transmit rotational driving force to the elevation shaft 8. When the sheet containing tray 2 is set to the apparatus body 1, a setting detection device (not shown) may detect the tray, and then the elevation motor 9 may rotate. A coupling 10 may mesh and transmit the driving force to the elevation shaft 8. Thus, the elevation arm 7 may lift the bottom plate 6. When the uppermost sheet P reaches a prescribed sheet feeding position, the elevation motor 9 may stop driving, and thereby a sheet feeding available condition may be entered. In contrast, when the sheet containing tray 2 is withdrawn from the apparatus body 1, the coupling 10 may disengage with the elevation shaft 8. As a result, the sheets P and bottom plate 6 may be lowered by gravity.

[0014] The sheet-feeding device provided in the apparatus body 1 may be a publicly known.friction separation type and mainly include a pickup roller 11, a feed roller 12, and a reverse roller 13. These pickup roller 11 and feed roller 12 may be engaged with an idler (not shown). The reverse roller 13 may always be oppositely rotated to a feeding direction so as to separate sheets P one by one. Among the side fences 3 and 4 in the sheet feeding apparatus, a hitching member 15 may be mounted on the rear side-fence 3 while directing in the direction B that sheet containing tray 2 is withdrawn so as to hitch and prevent a sheet from remaining in the apparatus body. The hitching member 15 may include a horizontally protruding plate 17 overhanging a sheet setting range, and a connecting member 16 for connecting the rear side-fence 3 and the horizontally protruding plate 17.

[0015] In a first embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B, the protruding plate 17 may overhang the uppermost sheet, and is disposed downstream of a downstream end of the rear side fence 3. Thus, a gap "r1" (i.e., a space where the protruding plate is omitted) may be formed between the protruding plate 17 and the down streamside of the rear side fence 3. Further, a connecting member 16 may maintain the gap "r1" and is set back from the sheet setting range of the sheets stacked in front of the rear side fence 3. Thus, another gap "r2" may be formed as illustrated in Fig. 5B. Further, the horizontally protruding plate 17 of Fig. 3A may be maintained at a prescribed height "h" not to contact the uppermost sheet P when the bottom plate is lifted.

[0016] Driving may be immediately stopped in order to prevent progression of the disease of a jam condition when jam occurs in the apparatus body. In such a case, jam treatment is performed while opening a vertical sheet conveyance path as illustrated by a dotted line in Fig. 1. However, a jam sheet P' whose leading end is stopped in the vicinity of the feed roller 12 can not be treated because a jam portion is too far from the opening section to reach, and then the sheet containing tray 2 is withdrawn to the front side by an operator. The jam sheet P' necessarily collides the rear side fence 3 and thereby sometimes is largely bent by the rear side fence 3 as illustrated in Fig. 4 when the sheet containing tray is withdrawn in the direction (B) as mentioned earlier. In this situation, if the hitching member 15 positions at a middle portion of the rear side fence 3 in the sheet feeding direction and upwardly extends there, the jam sheet P' highly probably climbs over the rear side fence 3 and the hitching member 15 from its largely bending portion. In contrast, since the hitching member 15 is located downstream of the downstream side end of the rear side fence 3 as in the present invention, the jam sheet P' may not collide or sometimes slightly collides the rear side fence 3. Specifically, the jam sheet having less bending amount at its downstream side end than the other portion of the sheet may enter into the gaps "r1" and "r2" in this order, and is then hitched by the hitching member 15.

[0017] Further, since the hitching member 15 is located downstream of the downstream end of the rear side fence 3, a jam sheet having a small size may be prevented from remaining, which is generally caused because its trailing end tends to sneak a gap formed between the right side wall 2' and rear side fence 3.

[0018] As illustrated in Fig. 5A, since a front side end of the protruding plate 17 horizontally protrudes toward the sheet setting range by a slight amount of "d", the jam sheet P' may more easily enter into both the gaps "r1" and "r2". Specifically, it may credibly be hitched and withdrawn together with the sheet containing tray 2. The slight amount of "d" may not spoil a sheet setting performance in view of sheet bending when the sheet stack is set from the above. Since the hitching member 15 protrudes toward the sheet setting range by the slight amount of "d", a sheet can be damaged depending upon a setting manner in the above described embodiment. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 5B, since the leading section (i.e., a front side end) of the protruding plate 17 includes a slant and bending portion 17a, the slant and bending portion 17a may guide a sheet stack when it is loaded and prevent the same from being damaged.

[0019] In addition, since the other leading section (i.e., a rear side end) of the protruding plate 17 also includes a slant and bending portion 17b, these slant and bending portions 17a and 17b may guide a sheet stack to the housed position while preventing the sheet containing tray 2 from collision to either the apparatus body or a upper sheet containing tray. In addition, sheet damage may also be prevented.

[0020] For the friction separation roller type sheet-feeding apparatus described earlier, a friction pad type sheet feeding apparatus can be employed. The above-described hitching section integral with the rear side fence can be separated therefrom. Further, the above-described sheet feeding apparatus integral with the image forming apparatus can be separated therefrom and employ the present invention.

[0021] Further, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, a second hitching section 218 can be provided in addition to and in an upstream position of the hitching member 215 on the rear side fence 3. The second hitching section may also include a horizontally protruding plate 220 at a rear side of the sheet setting range on the sheet containing tray 2, a connecting portion 219 for connecting the protruding plate 220 to the side fence 203, and an eave 221 projecting downstream from the protruding plate 220.

[0022] A height of the side fence 203 may be lowered at a portion attaching the hitching section 218 than the remaining portion of the side fence 203. Thus, a gap "r3" may be formed between the protruding plate 220 and side fence 203.

[0023] Thus, even when the jam sheet P' rarely climbs over the hitching member 215, an upstream portion of the jam sheet P' can possibly be hitched by the second hitching section 218 and enter into the gap "r3". Thus, the jam sheet P' can be withdrawn together with the sheet containing tray 202.

[0024] Since the side fence 203 is lowered at the hitching section 218 attaching portion, the gap "r3" can be large enough to hitch a jam sheet. In addition, the second hitching section 218 may also be set back from the sheet setting range, the sheet stack may not collide the hitching section 218 and avoid damage therefrom when set on the sheet containing tray. Further, the second hitching section 218 may preferably be positioned substantially at the center of a side of the smallest sheet among various sizes of sheets. In such a situation, it surely hitches the jam sheet P' having the smaller size.

[0025] Obviously, numerous additional modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

[0026] The hitching member is preferably arranged above the rear side member, preferably at least with respect to a part of the rear side member. Preferably, there is a gap between the hitching member and the rear side member. Preferably, the gap is wider than the thickness of a sheet such that a sheet may enter the gap. Preferably, the hitching member is formed such that a sheet is gripped or hitched by the hitching member, in particular, when the sheet enters via afore-mentioned gap. Preferably, the hitching member projects from the aligning member in order to block a movement of a sheet beyond the rear side aligning member such that the sheet may not pass the rear side aligning member. Preferably, the hitching member is arranged above the top sheet of a sheet stack arranged in the sheet containing tray. Preferably, a hitching member is arranged at a height with respect to the bottom of the sheet containing tray which is higher than the height of the outlet for the sheet to be set. Preferably, the hitching member has a hook like shape in order to hook sheets which tend to pass the rear side aligning member. Preferably, the hitching member is arranged and constituted such that a movement of the sheet towards the rear side of the sheet containing tray is hindered or blocked if the sheet is above the afore-mentioned sheet outlet. Preferably, the hitching member is arranged downstream of the upstream end of the rear side aligning member, preferably, around or more preferably downstream of a mid portion of the rear side aligning member such that a mid portion or more preferably a downstream portion of a sheet is prevented to pass the rear side aligning member.

Claims

1. A sheet feeding apparatus, comprising:

a sheet containing tray (2; 202) withdrawable from a housed position to a front side of an apparatus body (1);

a sheet feeding device configured, to feed a sheet (P) on the sheet containing tray (2; 202) in a direction (A; X) perpendicular to a withdrawal direction (B; Y) of the sheet containing tray (2; 202);

a pair of side aligning members (3, 4; 203, 204) comprising a rear side aligning member (3; 203) and configured to align widthwise ends of the sheets set within a sheet setting range on the sheet containing tray (2; 202); and

characterised by:

a hitching member (15; 215) mounted on the sheet containing tray (2; 202) behind a rear side of the sheets (P), wherein said hitching member (15; 215) is positioned on the sheet containing tray (2) a prescribed length downstream of a downstream end of the rear side aligning member (3; 203) such that a gap (r1) is formed.

2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hitching member (15; 215) is secured to the rear side aligning member.

3. The sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said hitching member (15; 215) includes a horizontally protruding plate (17) configured to protrude toward the sheet setting range and overhang the uppermost sheet (P) set on the sheet containing tray (2; 202).

4. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said hitching member (15; 215) includes a connecting member (16) configured to connect the protruding plate (17) to the rear side aligning member (3; 203), said connecting member (16) positioning a prescribed length behind a rear side end of the sheet (P) aligned by the rear side-aligning member (3; 203).

5. The sheet feeding apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said protruding plate (17) forwardly slightly protrudes from the rear side end of the sheets (P) so that sheet replenishment from above is substantially not interfered by the protruding plate (17).

6. The sheet feeding apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said protruding plate (17) includes a slant portion (17a, 17b) configured to guide the sheets (P) to be replenished at its front side end when sheets (P) are replenished from the above.

7. The sheet feeding apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said protruding plate (17) includes a slant portion (17a, 17b) configured to form a guiding portion at its rear side end when the sheet feeding apparatus is housed.

8. An image forming apparatus (1) including:

a visual image forming and transferring device configured to forming and transferring a visual image onto a sheet (P); and

characterized by:

a sheet feeding device configured as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 for feeding a sheet (P) to receive the visual image.

9. A method for hitching a jam sheet jamming on a sheet containing tray (2; 202), comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of side aligning members (3, 4; 203, 204) comprising a rear side aligning member (3; 203) and configured to align widthwise ends of the sheets (P) set on the sheet containing tray (2; 202);

characterized by:

providing a hitching member (15; 215) on the sheet containing tray (2; 202) behind a rear side of the sheets (P) and downstream of a downstream end of the rear side aligning member such that a gap (r1) is formed; and

withdrawing a sheet containing tray (2; 202) from a housed position to a front side of an apparatus body (1) when a jam occurs;

hitching a relatively smaller bending portion of the jam sheet jamming in the vicinity of an outlet of the sheet containing tray (2; 202) with the hitching member (15; 215) when said step of withdrawing a sheet feeding tray (2; 202) is performed, by hitching the sheet (P) in the gap (r1).

Ansprüche

1. Blattzuführungsapparat, welcher folgendes umfasst:

ein Blattaufnahmefach (2; 202), welches aus einer untergebrachten Position an der Vorderseite eines Gerätegehäuses (1) entnahmefähig ist;

eine Blattzuführungsvorrichtung, welche so konfiguriert ist, um ein Blatt (P) auf dem Blattaufnahmefach (2; 202) in einer Richtung (A; X) senkrecht zu einer Entnahmerichtung (B; Y) des Blattaufnahmefaches (2; 202) zuzuführen;

ein Paar von Seitenausrichtungsgliedern (3, 4; 203, 204), welche ein Rückseiten-Ausrichtungsglied (3; 203) umfassen, und so konfiguriert sind, um die breitseitigen Enden der Blätter auszurichten, welche auf dem Blattaufnahmefach (2; 202) innerhalb eines Blatteinstellungsbereiches gelegt sind, und gekennzeichnet ist durch:

ein Erfassungs- bzw. Zurechtrückungsglied (15; 215), welches auf dem Blattaufnahmefach (2; 202) hinter der Rückseite der Blätter (P) angebracht ist, wobei das Erfassungs- bzw. Zurechtrückungsglied (15; 215) auf dem Blattaufnahmefach (2) angebracht ist, einer festgesetzte Länge nachgelagert eines nachgelagerten Endes von dem Rückseiten-Ausrichtungsglied (3; 203), sodass eine Lücke (r1) erzeugt wird.

2. Blattzuführungsapparat gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Zurechtrückungsglied (15; 215) an dem Rückseiten-Ausrichtungsglied befestigt ist.

3. Blattzuführungsapparat gemäß irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 und 2, wobei das Zurechtrückungsglied (15; 215) eine horizontal hinausragende Platte (17) beinhaltet, welche so konfiguriert ist, um in Richtung des Blatteinstellungsbereiches hinauszuragen und über dem höchsten Blatt (P), welches auf dem Blattaufnahmefach (2; 202) liegt, hervorzustehen.

4. Blattzuführungsapparat gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei das Erfassungs- bzw. Zurechtrückungsglied (15; 215) ein Verbindungsglied (16) beinhaltet, welches so konfiguriert ist, um die hinausragende Platte (17) mit dem Rückseiten-Ausrichtungsglied (3; 203) zu verbinden, wobei das Verbindungsglied (16) eine festgesetzte Länge hinter einem Ende der Rückseite des Blattes (P), welches durch das Rückseiten-Ausrichtungsglied (3; 203) ausgerichtet ist, positioniert.

5. Blattzuführungsapparat gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die hinausragende Platte (17) vorwärts leicht vom rückseitigen Ende der Blätter (P) hinausragt, sodass das Blätternachfüllen von oben durch die hinausragende Platte (17) nicht wesentlich gestört wird.

6. Blattzuführungsapparat gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die hinausragende Platte (17) einen Schrägabschnitt (17a, 17b) beinhaltet, welcher so konfiguriert ist, um die Blätter (P) zu führen, welche an seinem Vorderseitenende nachgefüllt werden, wenn Blätter (P) von oben nachgefüllt werden.

7. Blattzuführungsapparat gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei die hinausragende Platte (17) einen Schrägabschnitt (17a, 17b) beinhaltet, welcher so konfiguriert ist, um einen Führungsabschnitt an seinem Rückseitenende zu bilden, wenn der Blattzuführungsapparat untergebracht ist.

8. Bilderzeugungsapparat (1), welcher folgendes enthält:

eine visuelle Bilderzeugungs- und -Übergabevorrichtung, um ein visuelles Bild zu erzeugen und auf ein Blatt (P) zu übertragen; und gekennzeichnet durch:

eine Blattzuführungsvorrichtung, wie in irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7 beansprucht, um ein Blatt (P) zuzuführen, um ein visuelles Bild zu erhalten.

9. Verfahren, um ein festgeklemmtes Blatt, welches auf einem Blattaufnahmefach (2; 202) festklemmt, zu erfassen bzw. zurechtzurücken, welches die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

das Vorsehen eines Paares von Seitenausrichtungsgliedern (3, 4; 203, 204), welche ein Rückseiten-Ausrichtungsglied (3; 203) umfassen, und so konfiguriert, um die breitseitigen Enden der Blätter (P) auf dem Blattaufnahmefach (2; 202) auszurichten;

gekennzeichnet durch:

das Vorsehen eines Zurechtrückungsgliedes (15; 215) auf dem Blattaufnahmefach (2; 202) hinter der Rückseite der Blätter (P) und nachgelagert eines nachgelagerten Endes von dem Rückseiten-Ausrichtungsglied, sodass eine Lücke (r1) erzeugt wird; und

das Zurückziehen eines Blattaufnahmefaches (2; 202) aus einer untergebrachten Position zu der Vorderseite eines Gerätegehäuses (1), wenn ein Papierstau auftritt; das Erfassen bzw. Zurechtrücken eines relativ kleinen Biegeabschnitts des blockierenden Blattes in der näheren Umgebung eines Auslasses des Blattaufnahmefaches (2; 202) mit dem Zurechtrückglied (15; 215), wenn der Schritt des Zurückziehens eines Blattaufnahmefaches (2; 202) ausgeführt wird, durch Zurechtrücken bzw. Erfassen des Blattes (P) in der Lücke (r1).

Revendications

1. Appareil d'alimentation en feuilles, comprenant :

un bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles pouvant être retirées d'une position abritée jusqu'à un côté avant d'un corps (1) d'appareil ;

dispositif d'alimentation en feuilles configuré pour délivrer une feuille (P) sur le bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles dans une direction (A ; X) perpendiculaires à une direction (B ; Y) de retrait du bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles ;

une paire d'éléments (3 ; 4 ; 203 ; 204) d'alignement latéraux comprenant un élément (3 ; 203) d'alignement latéral arrière et configuré pour aligner des extrémités dans le sens de la largeur parmi l'ensemble de feuilles à l'intérieur d'une plage de réglage de feuille sur le bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles ; et

caractérisé en ce que par :

un élément (15 ; 215) d'enlèvement monté sur le bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles derrière un côté arrière des feuilles (P), dans lequel ledit élément (15 ; 215) d'enlèvement est positionné sur le bac (2) contenant des feuilles à une longueur prescrite en aval d'une extrémité en aval de l'élément (3 ; 203) d'alignement latéral arrière de telle manière qu'un intervalle (r1) soit formé.

2. Appareil d'alimentation en feuilles selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit élément (15 ; 215) d'enlèvement est solidement fixé à l'élément d'alignement latéral arrière.

3. Appareil d'alimentation en feuilles selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 et 2, dans lequel ledit élément (15 ; 215) d'enlèvement comporte une plaque (17) faisant saillie horizontalement configurée pour faire saillie vers la plage de réglage de feuilles et surplomber la feuille (P) extrême supérieure posée sur le bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles.

4. Appareil d'alimentation en feuilles selon la revendication 3, dans lequel ledit élément (15 ; 215) d'enlèvement comporte un élément (16) de raccord configuré pour raccorder la plaque (17) faisant saillie à l'élément (3 ; 203) d'alignement latéral arrière, ledit élément (16) de raccord se positionnant au niveau d'une longueur prescrite à l'arrière d'une extrémité latérale arrière de la feuille (P) aligné par l'élément (3 ; 203) d'alignement latéral arrière.

5. Appareil d'alimentation en feuilles, selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ladite plaque (17) faisant saillie fait légèrement saillie vers l'avant depuis l'extrémité latérale arrière des feuilles (P) de sorte que le réapprovisionnement en feuilles depuis le dessus n'est sensiblement pas gêné par la plaque (17) faisant saillie.

6. Appareil d'alimentation en feuilles, selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ladite plaque (17) faisant saillie comporte une partie (17a, 17b) oblique configurée pour guider les feuilles (P) devant être réapprovisionnée au niveau de son extrémité latérale avant lorsque des feuilles (P) sont réapprovisionnées depuis le dessus.

7. Appareil d'alimentation en feuilles selon la revendication 3, dans lequel ladite plaque (17) faisant saillie comporte une partie (17a, 17b) oblique configuré pour former une partie de guidage au niveau de son extrémité latérale arrière lorsque l'appareil d'alimentation en feuilles est abrité.

8. Appareil (1) de formation d'image comportant :

un dispositif de formation et de transfert d'images visuelles configuré pour former et transférer une image visuelle sur une feuille (P) ; et

caractérisé par :

un dispositif d'alimentation en feuilles configuré selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7 pour délivrer une feuille (P) pour recevoir l'image visuelle.

9. Procédé destiné à enlever une feuille bourrage bourrant un bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles, comprenant les étapes consistant à :

mettre à disposition une paire d'éléments (3, 4 ; 203, 204) d'alignement latéraux comprenant un élément (3 ; 203) d'alignement latéral arrière et configurés pour aligner des extrémités dans le sens de la largeur des feuilles (P) posées sur le bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles ;

caractérisé par :

la mise à disposition d'un élément (15 ; 215) d'enlèvement sur le bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles derrière un côté arrière des feuilles (P) et en aval d'une extrémité en aval de l'élément d'alignement latéral arrière de telle manière qu'un intervalle (r1) est formé ; et

retirer un bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles depuis une position abritée jusqu'à un côté avant d'un corps (1) d'appareil lorsqu'un bourrage se produit ;

enlever une partie courbe relativement plus petite de la feuille de bourrage bourrant à proximité d'une sortie du bac (2 ; 202) contenant des feuilles avec l'élément (15 ; 215) d'enlèvement lorsque ladite étape de retrait d'un bac (2 ; 202) d'alimentation en feuilles est réalisée, en enlevant la feuille (P) dans l'intervalle (r1).

Drawing