A sheet takeout method includes: pressing, when a restraint device is in a restrained state, a transfer plate which is in a horizontal state to pickup and hold a topmost sheet member; pressing the sheet members by an inelastic deformation part of the transfer plate while setting the restraint device to be in a non-restrained state and setting the transfer plate to be in an elastically deformed state; inserting a restraining blade into a space formed between the topmost sheet member and its underlying sheet member and setting the restraint device to be in the restrained state again; returning the transfer plate that has picked up and held the topmost sheet member to a horizontal state while retracting the transfer place upward; and transferring the topmost sheet member picked up and held by the transfer plate to a receiving holder.

A sheet takeout method includes: pressing, when a restraint device is in a restrained state, a transfer plate which is in a horizontal state to pickup and hold a topmost sheet member; pressing the sheet members by an inelastic deformation part of the transfer plate while setting the restraint device to be in a non-restrained state and setting the transfer plate to be in an elastically deformed state; inserting a restraining blade into a space formed between the topmost sheet member and its underlying sheet member and setting the restraint device to be in the restrained state again; returning the transfer plate that has picked up and held the topmost sheet member to a horizontal state while retracting the transfer place upward; and transferring the topmost sheet member picked up and held by the transfer plate to a receiving holder.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes an apparatus body, a stacking portion, a feed roller unit including a feed roller and a holding member, a first urging member configured to bias the holding member, and a detachable unit configured to be detachably supported by at least one of the feed roller unit and the apparatus body, the detachable unit including a second urging member configured to bias the holding member. A feed pressure applied to the sheet in a case where the feed roller feeds the sheet stacked on the stacking portion (i) becomes a first feed pressure by the first urging member and the second urging member in a state where the detachable unit is attached, and (ii) becomes a second feed pressure different from the first feed pressure by the first urging member in a state where the detachable unit is detached.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes an apparatus body, a stacking portion, a feed roller unit including a feed roller and a holding member, a first urging member configured to bias the holding member, and a detachable unit configured to be detachably supported by at least one of the feed roller unit and the apparatus body, the detachable unit including a second urging member configured to bias the holding member. A feed pressure applied to the sheet in a case where the feed roller feeds the sheet stacked on the stacking portion (i) becomes a first feed pressure by the first urging member and the second urging member in a state where the detachable unit is attached, and (ii) becomes a second feed pressure different from the first feed pressure by the first urging member in a state where the detachable unit is detached.

In the paper feeding roller, a shaft body has a cantilever structure supported at one end, and an elastic layer includes a supported end and a free end on both ends along a rotation axis, wherein an outer diameter of the free end in a cross section orthogonal to the rotational axis is greater than that of the supported end, and an area including the free end has a widened bottom part having an outer diameter which widens in a linear or inner convex manner approaching the free end along the rotation axis. The paper feeding device includes a feed roller rotationally driven and conveying paper, and a retard roller pressed against the feed roller, affixed with a torque limiter, and suppressing double feeding of paper. At least one of the feed roller and the retard roller is formed as the paper feeding roller.

In the paper feeding roller, a shaft body has a cantilever structure supported at one end, and an elastic layer includes a supported end and a free end on both ends along a rotation axis, wherein an outer diameter of the free end in a cross section orthogonal to the rotational axis is greater than that of the supported end, and an area including the free end has a widened bottom part having an outer diameter which widens in a linear or inner convex manner approaching the free end along the rotation axis. The paper feeding device includes a feed roller rotationally driven and conveying paper, and a retard roller pressed against the feed roller, affixed with a torque limiter, and suppressing double feeding of paper. At least one of the feed roller and the retard roller is formed as the paper feeding roller.

Provided is a medium conveying apparatus to enable suitable feeding of a plurality of types of media. A medium conveying apparatus includes a guide member including an opening or a notch and configured to form a conveyance surface of a medium, a feed roller located inside the opening or the notch and configured to feed the medium, a separation roller located to face the feed roller, and protruding parts located on left and right sides of the separation roller relative to a medium conveying direction. The guide member includes recessed parts positioned on left and right sides of the feed roller relative to the medium conveying direction. The protruding parts are located at positions facing the opening or the notch, or the recessed parts in such a way that the medium is conveyed between the protruding parts and the recessed parts. A tip of each of the protruding parts is positioned on the feed roller side of a nip part of the feed roller and the separation roller.

Provided is a medium conveying apparatus to enable suitable feeding of a plurality of types of media. A medium conveying apparatus includes a guide member including an opening or a notch and configured to form a conveyance surface of a medium, a feed roller located inside the opening or the notch and configured to feed the medium, a separation roller located to face the feed roller, and protruding parts located on left and right sides of the separation roller relative to a medium conveying direction. The guide member includes recessed parts positioned on left and right sides of the feed roller relative to the medium conveying direction. The protruding parts are located at positions facing the opening or the notch, or the recessed parts in such a way that the medium is conveyed between the protruding parts and the recessed parts. A tip of each of the protruding parts is positioned on the feed roller side of a nip part of the feed roller and the separation roller.

A paper sheet separation transport device and a paper sheet handling device. Disclosed is a set-out part, a separating part, a first motor M1 that drives these parts, a drawing transport part, and a storage transport route that is driven by a second motor M2. The drawing transport part includes at least two idle rollers that are supported about an axis at portions of a feed roller, and endless drawing belts that each form a curved drawing transport route with the idle rollers and that travel in a drawing direction to turn a first paper sheet in a direction intersecting with a direction of set-out by the set-out part in cooperation with the idle rollers and transport the paper sheet, and the drawing belts are driven by the second motor.

A paper sheet separation transport device and a paper sheet handling device. Disclosed is a set-out part, a separating part, a first motor M1 that drives these parts, a drawing transport part, and a storage transport route that is driven by a second motor M2. The drawing transport part includes at least two idle rollers that are supported about an axis at portions of a feed roller, and endless drawing belts that each form a curved drawing transport route with the idle rollers and that travel in a drawing direction to turn a first paper sheet in a direction intersecting with a direction of set-out by the set-out part in cooperation with the idle rollers and transport the paper sheet, and the drawing belts are driven by the second motor.