An object of the invention is to provide a sheet materials separation-aiding apparatus capable of creating a gap between a specific sheet material and a sheet material coming into contact with the lower surface thereof even when the location precision of a stack of laminated sheet materials is low in the height direction of the stack of laminated sheet materials and in the direction orthogonal to the height direction.

An embodiment includes an apparatus in an ATM to transport a document. The apparatus includes a feed wheel, a stripping tire, a clutch outer-hub and a clutch inner-hub. The feed wheel may be rotated by a first-rotational driver to move the document in a forward direction while the stripping tire is rotated by movable contact with the feed wheel. The clutch inner-hub prevents the stripping tire from rotating in a direction to cause the document to move in a reverse direction when the first-rotational driver rotates the feed wheel. Alternatively, the stripping tire is rotated by a second-rotational driver to move the document in the reverse direction when the feed wheel is not rotated by a first-rotational driver while the clutch outer-hub prevents the stripping tire from rotating in a direction to cause the document to move in the forward direction.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a sheet transport device is described. The sheet transport device includes a pickup roller to insert a sheet into a sheet path. A pair of separation rollers of the sheet transportation device form a nip that advances the sheet along the sheet path. A first separation shaft on which a first separation roller is disposed rotates in a first direction as the sheet is advanced and a second separation shaft on which a second separation roller is disposed also rotates in the first direction as the sheet is advanced. The second separation roller is driven in a second direction via a torque limiter. A motor rotates the shafts. A one-way clutch is disposed on the second separation shaft to disengage the second separation shaft from the motor when the motor is operating in a reverse mode.

An embodiment includes an apparatus in an ATM to transport a document. The apparatus includes a feed wheel, a stripping tire, a clutch outer-hub and a clutch inner-hub. The feed wheel may be rotated by a first-rotational driver to move the document in a forward direction while the stripping tire is rotated by movable contact with the feed wheel. The clutch inner-hub prevents the stripping tire from rotating in a direction to cause the document to move in a reverse direction when the first-rotational driver rotates the feed wheel. Alternatively, the stripping tire is rotated by a second-rotational driver to move the document in the reverse direction when the feed wheel is not rotated by a first-rotational driver while the clutch outer-hub prevents the stripping tire from rotating in a direction to cause the document to move in the forward direction.

A sheet conveying device includes a control unit. The control unit determines whether a first sheet and a second sheet being double-fed are in a full double feed state in which the first sheet and the second sheet are conveyed while overlapping each other from distal end parts of the first sheet and the second sheet in a conveyance direction or a partial double feed state in which the second sheet is conveyed while overlapping a rear part of the first sheet than the distal end part of the first sheet, stops an operation of a sheet conveying mechanism when it is determined that the sheets are in the full double feed state, and performs double feed elimination control for eliminating the double feeding of the sheets without stopping the sheet conveying mechanism when it is determined that the sheets are in the partial double feed state.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a sheet transport device is described. The sheet transport device includes a pickup roller to insert a sheet into a sheet path. A pair of separation rollers of the sheet transportation device form a nip that advances the sheet along the sheet path. A first separation shaft on which a first separation roller is disposed rotates in a first direction as the sheet is advanced and a second separation shaft on which a second separation roller is disposed also rotates in the first direction as the sheet is advanced. The second separation roller is driven in a second direction via a torque limiter. A motor rotates the shafts. A one-way clutch is disposed on the second separation shaft to disengage the second separation shaft from the motor when the motor is operating in a reverse mode.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a sheet transport device is described. The sheet transport device includes a pickup roller to insert a sheet into a sheet path. A pair of separation rollers of the sheet transportation device form a nip that advances the sheet along the sheet path. A first separation shaft on which a first separation roller is disposed rotates in a first direction as the sheet is advanced and a second separation shaft on which a second separation roller is disposed also rotates in the first direction as the sheet is advanced. The second separation roller is driven in a second direction via a torque limiter. A motor rotates the shafts. A one-way clutch is disposed on the second separation shaft to disengage the second separation shaft from the motor when the motor is operating in a reverse mode.

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a sheet accommodation unit, a paper sheet-feeding unit, an inclined surface portion, a resistance application member, and a transport unit. The sheet accommodation unit stacks sheets. The paper sheet-feeding unit feeds the sheets from the sheet accommodation unit. The inclined surface portion is provided in a paper sheet-feeding direction of the sheets. The resistance application member includes a protruding portion that protrudes more than the inclined surface portion. The transport unit is provided on a downstream side of the inclined surface portion in a transportation direction of the sheets. The transport unit transports the sheets.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a sheet transport device is described. The sheet transport device includes a pickup roller to insert a sheet into a sheet path. A pair of separation rollers of the sheet transportation device form a nip that advances the sheet along the sheet path. A first separation shaft on which a first separation roller is disposed rotates in a first direction as the sheet is advanced and a second separation shaft on which a second separation roller is disposed also rotates in the first direction as the sheet is advanced. The second separation roller is driven in a second direction via a torque limiter. A motor rotates the shafts. A one-way clutch is disposed on the second separation shaft to disengage the second separation shaft from the motor when the motor is operating in a reverse mode.

An object of the invention is to provide a sheet materials separation-aiding apparatus capable of creating a gap between a specific sheet material and a sheet material coming into contact with the lower surface thereof even when the location precision of a stack of laminated sheet materials is low in the height direction of the stack of laminated sheet materials and in the direction orthogonal to the height direction.