SHEET STACKING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a plurality of storages, a plurality of conveyance portions provided above sheets stored in the storages, respectively, to convey the sheets, and a main body frame holding the storages and having a plurality of opening portions through which the storages are movable between a closed position in which the sheets are conveyed and a pullout position in which the sheets are stacked. The storages include a plurality of exterior covers, respectively, each exterior cover being larger than a corresponding opening portion so as to cover the corresponding opening portion. The storages are arranged so that the plurality of exterior covers are aligned in a vertical direction. A conveyance portion, which conveys the sheets stored in a lower storage of the storages, overlaps an exterior cover of a storage one above the lower storage in the vertical direction when viewed in a horizontal direction.

Claims

1. A sheet stacking apparatus, comprising: a plurality of storages configured to store sheets; a plurality of conveyance portions, which are provided above the sheets stored in the plurality of storages, respectively, and are configured to convey the sheets in a conveyance direction; and a main body frame having a plurality of opening portions, the main body frame being configured to hold the plurality of storages so that each of the storages is movable through a corresponding one of the plurality of opening portions between a closed position in which the sheets are allowed to be conveyed and a pullout position in which the sheets are allowed to be stacked, wherein the plurality of storages include a plurality of exterior covers, respectively, each of the exterior covers being larger than a corresponding one of the plurality of opening portions so as to cover the corresponding one of the plurality of opening portions, wherein the plurality of storages are arranged so that the plurality of exterior covers are aligned in a vertical direction, and wherein a conveyance portion, which conveys the sheets stored in a lower storage of the plurality of storages, overlaps an exterior cover of a storage one above the lower storage in the vertical direction when viewed in a horizontal direction.

2. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each storage of the plurality of storages includes a second positioning member configured to be engaged with a first positioning member, which is provided to the main body frame, so as to position the storage with respect to the main body frame.

3. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body frame has a plurality of first sealing surfaces, wherein the plurality of storages have a plurality of second sealing surfaces arranged so as to be opposed to the plurality of first sealing surfaces, respectively, and wherein the sheet stacking apparatus includes a plurality of seal members arranged between the plurality of first sealing surfaces and the plurality of second sealing surfaces, respectively.

4. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of seal members are attached to one of the plurality of first sealing surfaces and the plurality of second sealing surfaces, respectively, and wherein, when the plurality of storages are located in the closed positions, the plurality of seal members are in contact with the other of the plurality of first sealing surfaces and the plurality of second sealing surfaces.

5. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conveyance portion provided to the lower storage of the plurality of storages overlaps a seal member of the plurality of seal members, which is configured to hermetically seal the storage one above the lower storage, in the vertical direction when viewed in the horizontal direction.

6. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of seal members have elasticity.

7. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the conveyance portion provided to the lower storage is arranged so as to project upward beyond a top surface of an exterior cover of the lower storage, and wherein the storage one above the lower storage is provided with a space into which at least the part of the conveyance portion is inserted.

8. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each storage of the plurality of storages includes a lower plate provided with a protruded portion and an upper plate provided with a protruded portion into which at least a part of the conveyance portion is inserted.

9. A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a first storage configured to store sheets; a first conveyance portion configured to convey the sheets stored in the first storage; a second storage configured to store sheets above the sheets stored in the first storage; a second conveyance portion configured to convey the sheets stored in the second storage; and a main body frame having a first opening portion and a second opening portion, the main body frame being configured to hold the first storage so that the first storage is movable through the first opening portion between a closed position in which the sheets are allowed to be conveyed and a pullout position in which the sheets are allowed to be stacked, and the main body frame being configured to hold the second storage so that the second storage is movable through the second opening portion between a closed position in which the sheets are allowed to be conveyed and a pullout position in which the sheets are allowed to be stacked, wherein the second storage is provided with an exterior cover being larger than the second opening portion so as to cover the second opening portion when the second storage is located in the closed position, wherein the first conveyance portion includes a rotary member configured to feed a sheet when being rotated while being in contact with the sheet stored in the first storage, and wherein the rotary member overlaps the exterior cover of the second storage in a vertical direction when viewed in a horizontal direction.

10. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the first storage and the second storage includes a second positioning member configured to be engaged with a first positioning member, which is provided to the main body frame, so as to position a corresponding one of the first storage and the second storage with respect to the main body frame.

11. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the main body frame has a first sealing surface, wherein the second storage has a second sealing surface arranged so as to be opposed to the first sealing surface, and wherein the sheet stacking apparatus includes a seal member arranged between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

12. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the seal member is attached to one of the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface, and wherein, when the second storage is located in the closed position, the seal member is in contact with the other of the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

13. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the rotary member of the first conveyance portion overlaps the seal member in the vertical direction when viewed in the horizontal direction.

14. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the seal member has elasticity.

15. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of the first conveyance portion provided to the first storage projects upward beyond a top surface of an exterior cover of the first storage, and wherein the second storage is provided with a space into which at least the part of the first conveyance portion is inserted.

16. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second storage includes a lower plate provided with a protruded portion projecting upward.

17. An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet stacking apparatus; and an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet stacked in the sheet stacking apparatus, the sheet stacking apparatus including: a plurality of storages configured to store sheets; a plurality of conveyance portions, which are provided above the sheets stored in the plurality of storages, respectively, and are configured to convey the sheets in a conveyance direction; and a main body frame having a plurality of opening portions, which is configured to hold the plurality of storages so that each of the plurality of storages is movable through a corresponding one of the plurality of opening portions between a closed position in which the sheets are allowed to be conveyed and a pullout position in which the sheets are allowed to be stacked, wherein the plurality of storages include a plurality of exterior covers, respectively, each of the exterior covers being larger than a corresponding one of the plurality of opening portions so as to cover the corresponding one of the plurality of opening portions, wherein the plurality of storages are arranged so that the plurality of exterior covers are aligned in a vertical direction, and wherein a conveyance portions, which conveys the sheets stored in a lower storage of the plurality of storages, overlaps an exterior cover of a storage one above the lower storage in the vertical direction when viewed in a horizontal direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a feeding module with a storage pulled out.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sealing-plate unit.

[0012] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are a perspective view and a sectional view of a hermetic seal, respectively.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a sectional view for illustrating a method of fixing an upper part of the hermetic seal.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main body frame in the vicinity of frame sealing surfaces which are attracted to and are brought into contact with the hermetic seal.

[0015] FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the upper part of the hermetic seal before the storage is stored inside the main body frame.

[0016] FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the upper part of the hermetic seal after the storage is stored inside the main body frame.

[0017] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a storage frame.

[0018] FIG. 9B is a perspective view for illustrating an internal structure revealed after the storage frame is removed.

[0019] FIG. 10A is a perspective view for illustrating an internal configuration of the main body frame.

[0020] FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a storage positioning roller.

[0021] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are sectional views of the feeding module, which are taken along a yz plane.

[0022] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are schematic views of a feeding module of a comparative example and the feeding module according to the embodiment, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present disclosure is described below based on an embodiment. A scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described below. Further, configurations described in the embodiment should not be read as all being indispensable constituent features of the present disclosure.

(Ink Jet Recording Apparatus)

[0024] Now, an ink jet recording apparatus 10 is described as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus 10. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 is a sheet-fed type and uses two components corresponding to a reaction liquid and ink to form an ink image (image) on a sheet. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a feeding module (sheet stacking apparatus) 1000, a print module 2000, a drying module 3000, a fixing module 4000, a cooling module 5000, a reversing module 6000, and a discharge stacking module 7000. A sheet fed from the feeding module 1000 is conveyed along a conveyance path, is processed in the modules described above, and is discharged to the discharge stacking module 7000.

(Feeding Module)

[0025] The feeding module 1000 includes three storages (sheet storages) 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c, each storing a plurality of sheets. The storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c are configured so that the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c can be pulled out toward a front side of the feeding module 1000. Feeding portions 1102a, 1102b, and 1102c serving as a plurality of conveyance portions are provided above the sheets stored in the plurality of storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c. The feeding portions 1102a, 1102b, and 1102c convey the sheets stored in the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c one by one in a conveyance direction CD to the print module 2000. Each of the feeding portions 1102a, 1102b, and 1102c includes a separation belt and a conveyance roller, which serve as a separation unit. The separation belts are rotary members that are rotated while being in contact with uppermost sheets of bundles of sheets stored in a stacked state in the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c to thereby convey (feed) the sheets. The sheets stacked in the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c are fed one by one by the separation belts and the conveyance rollers and are conveyed to the print module 2000. The number of the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c is not limited to three and may be two or four or more.

(Print Module)

[0026] The print module 2000 includes a before-image-formation registration correcting portion 2100, a print belt unit 2200, and a recording portion (image forming portion) 2300. After inclination and a position of the sheet conveyed from the feeding module 1000 are corrected by the before-image-formation registration correcting portion 2100, the sheet is conveyed to the print belt unit 2200. The recording portion 2300 is arranged at such a position as to be opposed to the print belt unit 2200 across the conveyance path. The recording portion 2300 is a sheet processing portion that performs a recording process (printing) using recording heads from above on the conveyed sheet so as to form an ink image (image) on the sheet. When the sheet is attracted and conveyed by the print belt unit 2200, a clearance (print gap) between the sheet and the recording heads is ensured.

[0027] A plurality of recording heads are arranged in the conveyance direction CD. In the embodiment, the recording portion 2300 includes a total of five line-type recording heads corresponding to four colors, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk), and a reaction liquid. The number of colors and the number of recording heads are not limited to five and may be one, two, three, four, or six or more. As an ink jet system, various systems including, for example, a system using heating elements, a system using piezo elements, a system using electrostatic elements, and a system using micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) elements can be employed. An ink of each of the colors is supplied from an ink tank (not shown) to the recording head via an ink tube. The sheet on which the ink image has been formed by the recording portion 2300 is conveyed by the print belt unit 2200 to an inline scanner (not shown) arranged on a downstream side of the recording portion 2300. The inline scanner (not shown) detects misregistration or a color density of the ink image that has been formed on the sheet by the recording portion 2300. A result of the detection is used to correct an ink image that is formed subsequently.

(Drying Module)

[0028] The drying module 3000 includes a decoupling portion 3200, a drying belt unit 3300, and a hot air blowing portion 3400. The drying module 3000 is a unit that reduces a liquid content in the inks that have been applied onto the sheet by the recording portion 2300 so as to increase fixability between the inks and the sheet. The sheet on which the ink image has been formed by the recording portion 2300 of the print module 2000 is conveyed to the decoupling portion 3200 arranged inside the drying module 3000. The decoupling portion 3200 applies a wind pressure from above so that the sheet is gently held on the belt and conveys the sheet with a frictional force of the belt. In this manner, the sheet that carries the ink image formed thereon is prevented from being moved on the print belt unit 2200. Hot air is blown from the hot air blowing portion 3400 arranged above the drying belt unit 3300 onto the sheet that has been conveyed from the decoupling portion 3200 while the sheet is being attracted and conveyed by the drying belt unit 3300. In this manner, an ink-applied surface of the sheet is dried. A drying method may be, besides the method of blowing hot air, a method of irradiating a sheet surface with an electromagnetic wave (such as an ultraviolet ray or an infrared ray), a conduction heat transfer method using contact of a heating element, or a method using a combination of those methods.

(Fixing Module)

[0029] The fixing module 4000 includes a fixing-belt unit 4100 and a first reversing portion 4200. The fixing-belt unit 4100 can fix the inks onto the sheet by causing the sheet conveyed from the drying module 3000 to pass between an upper belt unit and a lower belt unit that are heated. The first reversing portion 4200 is provided in a duplex-printing conveyance portion of the fixing module 4000. The first reversing portion 4200 reverses the sheet.

(Cooling Module)

[0030] The cooling module 5000 includes a plurality of cooling portions 5100 that cool the sheet having a high temperature, which has been conveyed from the fixing module 4000. Each of the cooling portions 5100 cools the sheet by taking an outside air into a cooling box with a fan to increase a pressure inside the cooling box and blowing a wind jetted out from nozzles formed in a conveyance guide onto the sheet. The cooling portions 5100 are arranged on both sides of the conveyance path so as to cool the sheet from both sides.

[0031] Further, the cooling module 5000 includes a conveyance-path switching portion 5200. The conveyance-path switching portion 5200 switches the conveyance path for the sheet depending on whether the sheet is conveyed to the reversing module 6000 or to a duplex-printing conveyance path 1400 that is used at the time of duplex printing. At the time of duplex printing, the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance-path switching portion 5200 to a conveyance path 5300 below the cooling module 5000. The sheet is conveyed from the conveyance path 5300 to the duplex-printing conveyance path 1400 inside the feeding module 1000 via a conveyance path 4300 inside the fixing module 4000, a conveyance path 3500 inside the drying module 3000, and a conveyance path 2400 inside the print module 2000. The sheet is conveyed from the duplex-printing conveyance path 1400 to the before-image-formation registration correcting portion 2100, the print belt unit 2200, and the recording portion 2300 of the print module 2000 again, and an ink image is formed by the recording portion 2300.

(Reversing Module)

[0032] The reversing module 6000 includes a second reversing portion 6400. The second reversing portion 6400 reverses the sheet being conveyed. Thus, the reversing module 6000 can switch the sides of the sheet to be discharged.

(Discharge Stacking Module)

[0033] The discharge stacking module 7000 includes a top tray 7200 and a stacking portion 7500. The discharge stacking module 7000 stacks and align the sheets conveyed from the reversing module 6000 on the top tray 7200 or the stacking portion 7500.

(Configuration of Feeding Module)

[0034] Next, a configuration of the feeding module 1000 is described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the feeding module 1000 with the storage 1100a pulled out. In FIG. 2, a direction from the right to the left is referred to as x-axis direction, a direction from the front to the rear is referred to as y-axis direction, and a direction from the bottom to the top is referred to as z-axis direction. The storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c have the same structure in the embodiment. Thus, the storage 1100a is representatively described below. However, the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c are not always required to have the same structure. For example, the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c may be configured with different heights so as to have different maximum loading capacities for sheets.

[0035] The storage 1100a is mounted in a main body frame (feeding frame) 1200 of the feeding module 1000 so that the storage 1100a can be pulled out therefrom. The main body frame 1200 has an opening portion 1210a. The storage 1100a is held between a left plate 1202 and a right plate 1203 of the main body frame 1200 through intermediation of slide rails 1201. The storage 1100a is held by the main body frame 1200 so as to be movable through the opening portion 1210a in front-and-rear directions FR between a closed position and a pullout position. The closed position is a position in which the storage 1100a is located as a result of being fully pushed toward a rear side of the main body frame 1200. The pullout position is a position in which the storage 1100a is located as a result of being fully pulled out to a front side of the main body frame 1200. When the storage 1100a is located in the closed position, the feeding portion 1102a (FIG. 1) can convey the sheets stored in the storage (sheet storage) 1100a. When the storage 1100a is located in the pullout position, a user can stack sheets in the storage 1100a, and add and replace sheets. The feeding portion 1102a is provided to the main body frame (feeding frame) 1200. Further, the feeding portion 1102a is arranged above the bundle of the sheets stored in the storage (sheet storage) 1100a.

[0036] An exterior cover 1153a is larger than the opening portion 1210a of the storage 1100a so as to cover the opening portion 1210a when the storage 1100a is mounted and located in the closed position. A plurality of exterior covers 1153a, 1153b, and 1153c are provided to the plurality of storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c, respectively. When the plurality of storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c are located in the closed positions, the plurality of exterior covers 1153a, 1153b, and 1153c are aligned in a vertical direction (z-axis direction). The storage 1100a has two pullout positions. When the storage 1100a is located in a first pullout position, the user is allowed to supply or replace the sheets. When the storage 1100a is located in a second pullout position, a service engineer is allowed to replace a component or perform maintenance.

(Storage)

[0037] Next, a configuration of the storage 1100a is described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage 1100a. The storage 1100a includes a storage frame 1110 that forms wall surfaces of the storage 1100a. The storage frame 1110 includes a right-side portion 1110a and a left side portion 1110b. Each of the right-side portion 1110a and the left side portion 1110b has two rail hole portions 1113. When rivets 1220 (FIG. 10A referred to later) of the slide rails 1201 are inserted into and engaged with the rail hole portions 1113, the storage 1100a is held by the slide rails 1201. Lateral registration adjustment plates (support members) 1151a and 1151b are provided on the right-side portion 1110a and the left side portion 1110b of the storage frame 1110, respectively. The lateral registration adjustment plates 1151a and 1151b can be mounted on the right-side portion 1110a and the left side portion 1110b of the storage frame 1110 so that their positions in the front-and-rear directions FR with respect to the storage frame 1110 are adjustable.

[0038] The recording portion 2300 of the print module 2000 has the print heads (recording heads). The print gap, which is a clearance between the print heads and a sheet, greatly affects image quality. Elimination of the print gap due to, for example, deformation of the sheet is called head touch. The head touch may not only degrade quality of a resultant but also lead to damage to the print heads. When the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is installed in a high-humidity environment, the sheets in the storage 1100a before image formation absorb moisture in the installation environment and cause undulation. Deformation of the sheets caused by the above-mentioned undulation may lead to a reduction in the print gap. Thus, for a case in which the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is installed in a high-humidity environment, the storage 1100a is required to be substantially sealed to prevent air in the high-humidity environment from flowing into the storage 1100a so as to reduce absorption of moisture in the installation environment by the sheets stored in the storage 1100a. Now, a sealing plate (front plate) 1152 for hermetically sealing the storage 1100a is described.

[0039] The storage 1100a includes the sealing plate (front plate) 1152. The exterior cover 1153a is fixed to a front side of the sealing plate 1152. A hermetic seal 1154 is fixed to a rear side of the sealing plate 1152. A latch unit (1158, 1205 (FIG. 7)) for positioning the storage 1100a in the front-and-rear directions FR with respect to the main body frame 1200 is provided to the feeding module 1000. The latch unit (1158, 1205 (FIG. 7)) includes latch claws (front plate-side positioning portions) 1158, each having a hook-like shape, and storage positioning rollers (feeding frame-side positioning portions) 1205 (FIG. 7). The latch claws 1158 are mounted to the sealing plate 1152. Specifically, the exterior cover 1153a, the hermetic seal 1154, and the latch claws 1158 are integrally mounted on the sealing plate 1152. The sealing plate 1152, the hermetic seal 1154, and the latch claws 1158 integrally form a sealing-plate unit 1156 (FIG. 4 referred to later).

[0040] The sealing-plate unit 1156 is integrally mounted to the lateral registration adjustment plates 1151a and 1151b. For example, the sealing plate 1152 may include second engagement portions that are engageable with first engagement portions provided to the lateral registration adjustment plates 1151a and 1151b, respectively. The second engagement portions are engaged with the first engagement portions to integrally mount the sealing plate 1152 onto the lateral registration adjustment plates 1151a and 1151b. The sealing plate 1152 may be integrally mounted to the lateral registration adjustment plates 1151a and 1151b with screws. The sealing plate 1152 may be held integrally with the lateral registration adjustment plates 1151a and 1151b. In this manner, the latch claws 1158 are held integrally with the lateral registration adjustment plates 1151a and 1151b and the sealing plate 1152.

(Sealing-Plate Unit)

[0041] Next, a configuration of the sealing-plate unit 1156 is described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sealing-plate unit 1156. The latch claws 1158 are fixed to a latch shaft 1160 through intermediation of latch bases 1159. The latch shaft 1160 is rotatably held by latch-shaft support bases 1161. The latch-shaft support bases 1161 are fixed to the sealing plate 1152. A link arm 1162 is fixed to the latch shaft 1160. A solenoid 1163 is fixed to the sealing plate 1152 through intermediation of a solenoid support plate 1164. A solenoid spring 1165 is arranged between the solenoid support plate 1164 and the link arm 1162. The solenoid spring 1165 urges the latch shaft 1160 in a clockwise direction when the feeding module 1000 is viewed from the right side.

[0042] The hermetic seal (seal member) 1154 having elasticity is provided directly or through intermediation of another member to an inner surface (sheet storage-side sealing surface) 1152a, which is a rear surface of the sealing plate 1152. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are a perspective view and a sectional view of the hermetic seal 1154, respectively. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the hermetic seal 1154. FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the hermetic seal 1154, which is taken along the line VB-VB of FIG. 5A. The hermetic seal 1154 includes packings 1167 and magnets 1168. Each of the magnets 1168 is enclosed in a corresponding one of the packings 1167. The packings 1167 may be made of an elastic material such as a rubber. In the embodiment, a material of the packings 1167 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The packings 1167 are made of PVC so as to be extendable and contractable. A color of the packings 1167 is grey. The magnets 1168 are rubber magnets having flexibility. The magnet 1168 is enclosed in a magnet enclosing portion 1170, which is a space provided inside each of the packings 1167.

[0043] Each of the packings 1167 has two packing held portions 1169. When two packing held portions 1169 are interposed between packing holding plates described below and the inner surface 1152, the packing 1167 is held on the sealing plate 1152. The packing 1167 has an attracting surface 1171. The packing 1167 has a packing extendable and contractable portion 1172. It is preferred that the packing extendable and contractable portion 1172 be extendable and contractable in a direction in which the storage 1100a is moved. When a shape of the packing extendable and contractable portion 1172 changes, a distance between the packing held portions 1169 and the attracting surface 1171 is varied within a range in which the packing extendable and contractable portion 1172 is extendable and contractable. When the attracting surface 1171 is brought into contact with a member made of a ferromagnetic material, an attraction force acts due to a magnetic force of the magnet 1168 disposed inside the packing 1167. Thus, the member made of a ferromagnetic material is attracted to the attracting surface 1171 of the packing 1167. The packing 1167 is formed by extrusion into a shape illustrated in the sectional view of FIG. 5B.

[0044] Four (upper, lower, right, and left) packings 1167 are welded at packing coupling portions 1173 while the magnets 1168 are enclosed in the packings 1167, respectively, to thereby form one continuous hermetic seal 1154. Ends of the packings 1167 are inclined at an angle of 45 degrees at the packing coupling portions 1173. The ends of two packings 1167, which are each inclined at the angle of 45 degrees, are welded at the packing coupling portion 1173. Ends of each of the magnets 1168 are each inclined at the angle of 45 degrees in conformity with the ends of the packing 1167, which are each inclined at the angle of 45 degrees, at the packing coupling portion 1173. However, the angle of inclination of each of the packing coupling portion 1173 may be other than 45 degrees.

[0045] Next, a method of fixing the hermetic seal 1154 is described. FIG. 6 is a sectional view for illustrating a method of fixing an upper part of the hermetic seal 1154. A method of fixing a lower part, a right part, and a left part of the hermetic seal 1154 is the same as the method of fixing the upper part of the hermetic seal 1154, and thus a description thereof is omitted. A packing holding plate (outer) 1174 is welded and fixed to the sealing plate 1152 at a welding portion 1177. One (outer one) of the packing held portions 1169 of the hermetic seal 1154 is interposed between the packing holding plate (outer) 1174 and the inner surface 1152a of the sealing plate 1152. The other (inner one) of the packing held portions 1169 is interposed between the inner surface 1152a of the sealing plate 1152 and a packing holding plate (inner) 1175. In this state, the packing holding plate (inner) 1175 is fixed to the sealing plate 1152 with a screw 1176. The lower part, the right part, and the left part of the hermetic seal 1154 are also fixed to the sealing plate 1152 in the same manner. As described above, the hermetic seal 1154 is fixed to the sealing plate 1152. When the packing holding plate (outer) 1174 is welded and fixed to the sealing plate 1152 at the upper part and the lower part of the hermetic seal 1154, projection of fixing screws in the vertical direction in a case in which the fixing screws are used can be eliminated. As a result, a height of the storage 1100a can be reduced.

[0046] Next, a configuration of the main body frame 1200, which is attracted to and brought into contact with the hermetic seal 1154 by the magnetic force, is described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main body frame 1200 in the vicinity of frame sealing surfaces 1207 which are attracted to and brought into contact with the hermetic seal 1154. The frame sealing surfaces 1207 are formed on four (upper, lower, right, and left) outer edges of a space, into which the storage 1100a is to be inserted, in the main body frame 1200. It is preferred that each of the frame sealing surfaces 1207 be made of a magnetic material, for example, a ferromagnetic material such as a steel plate. The frame sealing surfaces 1207 are fixed to the main body frame 1200 with screws (not shown). When the main body frame 1200 is made of a ferromagnetic material, the frame sealing surfaces 1207 may be a part of the main body frame 1200. Four frame sealing surfaces 1207 are arranged on the same plane in the front-and-rear directions FR. When the four frame sealing surfaces 1207 are arranged as described above, the frame sealing surface 1207 are attracted to and brought into contact with the attraction surfaces 1171 of the hermetic seal 1154 within one plane. As a result, a gap is less liable to occur therebetween.

[0047] Next, a hermetic sealing state that is achieved by the hermetic seal 1154 when the storage 1100a is stored inside the main body frame 1200 is described. FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the upper part of the hermetic seal 1154 before the storage 1100a is stored inside the main body frame 1200. FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the upper part of the hermetic seal 1154 after the storage 1100a is stored inside the main body frame 1200. When the user stores the storage 1100a inside the main body frame 1200, the magnetic force of the magnet 1168 exerts an attraction force between the magnet 1168 and the frame sealing surface 1207. The attraction force brings the frame sealing surface 1207 and the attraction surface 1171 into contact with each other in such a manner that the attraction surface 1171 is interposed between the magnet 1168 and the frame sealing surface 1207. The lower part, the right part, and the left part of the hermetic seal 1154 are also brought into contact with the frame sealing surfaces 1207 in the same manner. As a result, movement of air or moisture between an inside and an outside of the storage 1100a is blocked by the hermetic seal 1154 to thereby hermetically seal the inside of the storage 1100a. Consequently, the movement of moisture into the storage 1100a in a high-humidity environment can be suppressed. Thus, the amount of water absorbed by the bundle of sheets stored in the storage 1100a is reduced, and undulation of the sheets can be suppressed.

[0048] A position of the sealing plate 1152 and positions of the frame sealing surfaces 1207 in the front-and-rear directions FR when the storage 1100a is stored within the main body frame 1200 may shift to some extent due to parts tolerance or lateral registration adjustment. In such a case, a shift amount in distance between the sealing plate 1152 and the frame sealing surfaces 1207 can be absorbed within the range in which the packing extendable and contractable portion 1172 is extendable and contractable. When the shift amount is absorbed, the packing extendable and contractable portion 1172 is extended or contracted. The packing extendable and contractable portion 1172 is made of an extremely soft material such as PVC (or a rubber), and a reaction force is scarcely generated. Thus, the hermetic seal 1154 scarcely applies a reaction force to contact components such as the sealing plate 1152. As a result, a risk of formation of a gap due to the deformation of the sealing plate 1152 can be eliminated.

[0049] The magnets 1168 are enclosed in the magnet enclosing portions 1170 inside the packings 1167 in the configuration of the hermetic seal 1154 according to the embodiment. However, the packings 1167 themselves may have a magnetic force. Further, the method of fixing the packings 1167 to the sealing plate 1152 is not limited to the method of interposing each of two packing held portions 1169 between sheet metals (the sealing plate 1152, and the packing holding plate (outer) 1174 and the packing holding plate (inner) 1175). Another method such as a method of fixing the packings 1167 to the sealing plate 1152 with a double-sided tape may be used. A fixing member for fixing the hermetic seal 1154 to the inner surface (second sealing surface) 1152a of the sealing plate 1152 is not limited to a double-sided tape and may be another fixing member such as an adhesive. As described above, the configuration of the hermetic seal 1154 using a magnetic force has been described. However, the hermetic seal 1154 may have a configuration without a magnetic force. For example, the hermetic seal 1154 may be an elastic member such as a rubber or a foam sponge.

[0050] The latch claws (second positioning members) 1158 and the inner surface (second sealing surface) 1152a of the sealing plate 1152 form a second unit U2 (FIG. 4). When the storage 1100a is located in the closed position as a result of being fully pushed into the main body frame 1200, the hermetic seal 1154 is in contact with the frame sealing surfaces (feeding frame-side sealing surfaces) 1207 of the main body frame 1200. The sealing plate 1152 is arranged so that the inner surface (second sealing surface) 1152a of the sealing plate 1152 is opposed to the frame sealing surfaces (first sealing surface) 1207, which are front surfaces of the main body frame 1200. The hermetic seal 1154 hermetically seals the storage 1100a against the outside air in a state in which the hermetic seal 1154 is compressed by a predetermined amount between the frame sealing surfaces (first sealing surfaces) 1207, which are the front surfaces of the main body frame 1200, and the inner surface 1152a of the sealing plate 1152.

[0051] In the embodiment, a plurality of hermetic seals (a plurality of seal members) 1154 are fixed to the inner surfaces (a plurality of second sealing surface) 1152a of a plurality of sealing plates 1152, respectively. However, the plurality of hermetic seals 1154 may be fixed to the plurality of frame sealing surfaces (the plurality of first sealing surfaces) 1207 of the main body frame 1200. The hermetic seal 1154 is only required to be attached to one of the inner surface 1152a and the frame sealing surfaces 1207 so that the hermetic seal 1154 can be brought into contact with the other of the inner surface 1152a and the frame sealing surfaces 1207 when the storage 1100a is located in the closed position. When the storage 1100a is located in the closed position as a result of being fully pushed into the main body frame 1200, the hermetic seal 1154 hermetically seals between the inner surface 1152a and the frame sealing surfaces 1207. Internal components of the storage 1100a and components of the main body frame 1200 are arranged so that the internal components of the storage 1100a do not interfere with the components fixed to the main body frame 1200 or with the main body frame 1200 when the storage 1100a is pulled out.

(Storage Frame)

[0052] Next, a configuration of the storage frame 1110 is described. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the storage frame 1110. FIG. 9B is a perspective view of an internal structure revealed after the storage frame 1110 is removed. The storage 1100a includes, as its internal structure, a pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122, an operating portion 1125, trailing-edge guide portions 1130, and a lifter plate 1140. The operating portion 1125 operates the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122. The pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 are side-edge regulating members that regulate positions of both side edges of a sheet in the front-and-rear directions FR (width direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction CD. The storage frame 1110 and the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 form a first unit U1. The trailing-edge guide portions 1130 are trailing-edge regulating members that regulate a position of a trailing edge of a sheet in the conveyance direction CD for the sheets. The lifter plate 1140 is configured to be movable up and down. The lifter plate 1140 is moved up by a driving force of a drive motor (not shown) to lift up a bundle of sheet stacked on the lifter plate (sheet stacking surface) 1140.

[0053] Now, a configuration of the operating portion 1125 that operates the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 is described. Rack members 1123 and 1124 extending in parallel in the front-and-rear directions FR are provided to the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122. The rack members 1123 and 1124 are held on the storage frame 1110 so as to be movable in the front-and-rear directions FR. Rack teeth 1123a and 1124a are engraved in a side surface of the rack member 1123 and a side surface of the rack member 1124, which are opposed to each other. The rack teeth 1123a and 1124a mesh with a gear 1126 arranged between the rack members 1123 and 1124. When one of the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 is moved in one of the front-and-rear directions FR, a force is transmitted to the other of the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 through intermediation of the gear 1126. The other of the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 is moved by the same distance in the other direction of the front-and-rear directions FR, which is opposite to the one direction. Specifically, the gear 1126 corresponding to an interlocking portion allows the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 to be interlocked with each other so that the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 are moved by the same distance in the directions opposite to each other.

[0054] The operating portion 1125, which can be manually rotated, is provided to a front side of the storage 1100a so as to be located in an upper part of the storage frame 1110. The operating portion 1125 is coaxially connected to the gear 1126 by a rotary shaft 1127. When the user operates the operating portion 1125, the gear 1126 is rotated to move the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 in the front-and-rear directions FR through intermediation of the rack members 1123 and 1124. In this manner, a distance between the pair of side guide portions 1121 and 1122 in the front-and-rear directions FR can be increased or decreased in accordance with a width of the sheets stacked in the storage 1100a.

(Main Body Frame)

[0055] Next, a configuration of the main body frame 1200 of the feeding module 1000 is described. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an internal configuration of the main body frame 1200. The main body frame 1200 serving as a feeding frame is configured to hold the storage 1100a so that the storage 1100a is movable in the front-and-rear directions FR. The storage positioning roller 1205 is rotatably provided on an inner surface of the right plate 1203 of the main body frame 1200. Likewise, the storage positioning roller is rotatably provided on an inner surface of the light plate 1202 of the main body frame 1200. The storage positioning roller 1205 has a substantially cylindrical shape that allows engagement with the hook-like shape of the latch claw 1158. FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the storage positioning roller 1205. A storage pressurizing spring 1206 is provided on a back plate 1204 of the main body frame 1200. When the storage 1100a is inserted into the main body frame 1200, the storage 1100a receives a force acting in a direction toward the front side of the feeding module 1000 from the storage pressurizing spring 1206. In this state, when the latch claw (second positioning member) 1158 is engaged with the storage positioning roller (first positioning member) 1205, a position of the storage 1100a in the front-and-rear directions FR is determined.

[0056] In the embodiment, the latch claws 1158, each having a hook-like shape, are provided on the sealing plate 1152, and the storage positioning rollers 1205, each having a substantially cylindrical shape, are provided to the main body frame 1200. However, latch claws, each having a hook-like shape, may be provided to the main body frame 1200 as feeding frame-side positioning portions, and positioning rollers, each having a substantially cylindrical shape, may be provided to the sealing plate 1152 as front side plate-side positioning portions.

[0057] The exterior cover 1153a (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) is positioned and fixed on the front side of the sealing plate 1152. Thus, adjustment of the exterior cover, which has been required after the lateral registration adjustment in the related art, is not required. An adjustment mechanism may be provided between the exterior cover 1153a and the sealing plate 1152 so as to perform minor adjustment of the exterior cover 1153a.

[0058] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are sectional views of the feeding module 1000, which are taken along a yz plane. The y-axis direction is a direction from the front side to the rear side. The z-axis direction is a direction from the bottom to the top. The main body frame 1200 of the feeding module 1000 includes feeding frames 1200a, 1200b, and 1200c. The feeding frame 1200a holds the storage 1100a (second storage) so that the storage 1100a is movable through a second opening portion between the closed position in which the sheets can be conveyed and the pullout portion at which the sheets can be stacked. The feeding frame 1200b holds the storage 1100b (first storage) so that the storage 1100b is movable through a first opening portion between the closed position in which the sheets can be conveyed and the pullout position in which the sheets can be stacked. The feeding frame 1200c holds the storage 1100c so that the storage 1100c can be pulled out. In FIG. 11A, a state in which the feeding frames 1200a, 1200b, and 1200c are stacked is illustrated. In FIG. 11B, a state in which the feeding frames 1200a, 1200b, and 1200c are separated from each other with spaces therebetween is illustrated for convenience of the description. A space inside the feeding frame 1200a, in which sheets are to be stored (space in the storage 1100a for storing sheets), and a space inside the feeding frame 1200b, in which sheets are to be stored, are partitioned. Similarly, the space inside the feeding frame 1200b, in which sheets are to be stored, and a space inside the feeding frame 1200c, in which sheets are to be stored, are partitioned.

[0059] The feeding portions 1102a, 1102b, and 1102c are provided to the main body frame 1200 and are arranged above the bundles of sheets stored in the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c, respectively. Lower plates 1270a, 1270b, and 1270c of the main body frame 1200 are arranged below the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c, respectively. The lower plates 1270a, 1270b, and 1270c have protruded portions 1271a, 1271b, and 1271c, each projecting upward, respectively. Recess portions (spaces) are defined below the protruded portions 1271a, 1271b, and 1271c, respectively. Upper plates 1273a, 1273b, and 1273c of the main body frame 1200 are arranged above the feeding portions 1102a, 1102b, and 1102c, respectively. The upper plates 1273a, 1273b, and 1273c have protruded portions 1274a, 1274b, and 1274c, each projecting upward, respectively. Recess portions (spaces) are defined below the protruded portions 1274a, 1274b, and 1274c, respectively.

[0060] The feeding frame 1200a includes the lower plate 1270a having the protruded portion 1271a and the upper plate 1273a having the protruded portion 1274a. The feeding frame 1200b includes the lower plate 1270b having the protruded portion 1271b and the upper plate 1273b having the protruded portion 1274b. The feeding frame 1200c includes the lower plate 1270c having the protruded portion 1271c and the upper plate 1273c having the protruded portion 1274c. At least a part of the feeding portion 1102a (second conveyance portion) that feeds the sheets stored in the storage 1100a is located in the recess portion defined below the protruded portion 1274a of the upper plate 1273a of the feeding frame 1200a. At least a part of the feeding portion 1102b (first conveyance portion) that feeds the sheets stored in the storage 1100b is located in the recess portion defined below the protruded portion 1274b of the upper plate 1273b of the feeding frame 1200b. The feeding portion 1102b is arranged so that at least a part of the feeding portion 1102b projects upward beyond a top surface of the exterior cover 1153b provided to the storage 1100b. At least a part of the feeding portion 1102c that feeds the sheets stored in the storage 1100c is located in the recess portion defined below the protruded portion 1274c of the upper plate 1273c of the feeding frame 1200c. The feeding portion 1102c is arranged so that at least a part of the feeding portion 1102c projects upward beyond a top surface of the exterior cover 1153c provided to the storage 1100c.

[0061] The protruded portions 1274b and 1274c overlap the protruded portions 1271a and 1271b in the vertical direction without interfering with the protruded portions 1271a and 1271b, respectively. Specifically, the protruded portion 1274b of the upper plate 1273b of the feeding frame 1200b is inserted in the recess portion defined below the protruded portion 1271a provided in the lower plate 1270a of the feeding frame 1200a. The protruded portion 1274c of the upper plate 1273c of the feeding frame 1200c is inserted in the recess portion defined below the protruded portion 1271b provided in the lower plate 1270b of the feeding frame 1200b.

[0062] At least a part of the feeding portion 1102b, which is an internal component of the feeding frame 1200b in a lower stage located below the feeding frame 1200a in an uppermost stage, can overlap an internal components of the storage 1100a in an upper stage located above the feeding frame 1200b, in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in a horizontal direction. For example, at least a part of the feeding portion 1102b in the lower stage can overlap a lower part of the sealing plate 1152 and a lower part of the hermetic seal 1154 in the upper stage, in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. Similarly, at least a part of the feeding portion 1102c, which is an internal component of the feeding frame 1200c in a lower stage located below the feeding frame 1200b, can overlap the internal components of the storage 1100b in an upper stage located above the feeding frame 1200c, in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. For example, at least a part of the feeding portion 1102c in the lower stage can overlap a lower part of the sealing plate 1152 and a lower part of the hermetic seal 1154 in the upper stage, in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction.

[0063] As described above, the internal components of the feeding portion 1102b can overlap the protruded portion 1271a of the lower plate 1270a of the feeding frame 1200a and the internal components of the storage 1100a in the upper stage, in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. Further, the internal components of the feeding portion 1102c can overlap the protruded portion 1271b of the lower plate 1270b of the feeding frame 1200b and the internal components of the storage 1100b in the upper stage, in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction.

[0064] Further, the feeding portion 1102c provided to the lower storage 1100c overlaps the exterior cover 1153b of the storage 1100b one above the storage 1100c in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. In particular, the separation belt of the feeding portion 1102c provided to the lower storage 1100c overlaps the exterior cover 1153b of the storage 1100b one above the storage 1100c in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. Similarly, the feeding portion 1102b provided to the lower storage 1100b overlaps the exterior cover 1153a of the storage 1100a one above the storage 1100b in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. Thus, according to the embodiment, a height of the main body frame 1200 of the feeding module 1000 can be reduced.

[0065] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are schematic views of a feeding module 1500 of a comparative example and the feeding module 1000 according to the embodiment, respectively. FIG. 12A is a schematic view of the feeding module 1500 of the comparative example, in which an internal component in an upper stage and an internal component in a lower stage do not overlap each other. In FIG. 12A, sheet bundles Sb, seal regions SR, and non-overlapping regions NOLR are illustrated. FIG. 12B is a schematic view of the feeding module 1000 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 12B, sheet bundles Sb, seal regions SR, and overlapping regions OLR are illustrated. The feeding module 1000 according to the embodiment can be reduced in size in the vertical direction as compared with the feeding module 1500 of the comparative example.

[0066] As described above, when the plurality of storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c are stacked atop one another in the vertical direction according to the embodiment, the feeding portion on the lower stage side overlaps the lower plate on the upper stage side and the internal component of the storage on the upper stage side in the vertical direction as viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. However, the feeding portion on the lower stage side may overlap the lower plate on the upper stage side and the internal component of the storage on the upper stage side in the vertical direction without the protruded portions 1271a, 1271b, and 1271c provided in the lower plates 1270a, 1270b, and 1270c, respectively. For example, holes may be formed in the lower plates 1270a, 1270b, and 1270c, respectively, so that the feeding portion on the lower stage side overlaps the lower plate on the upper stage side and the internal component of the storage on the upper stage side in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. Further, the feeding portion on the lower stage side may overlap the internal component of the storage on the upper stage side in the vertical direction without providing the lower plates 1270a, 1270b, and 1270c and the upper plates 1273a, 1273b, and 1273c.

[0067] Each of the feeding portions 1102b and 1102c and other functional components on the lower stage side may overlap the internal components of the storage on the upper stage side. Alternatively, functional components other than the feeding portions 1102b and 1102c on the lower stage side may overlap the internal components of the storage on the upper stage side. In the embodiment, the lower plate 1270c has the protruded portion 1271c so that the lower plates 1270a, 1270b, and 1270c can be used interchangeably. However, the lower plate 1270c is not required to have the protruded portion 1271c.

[0068] According to the embodiment, at least a part of the feeding portion 1102b on the lower stage side overlaps the lower plate 1270a on the upper stage side in the vertical direction when viewed from the front side to the rear side in the horizontal direction. Thus, a space between the internal components of the storage 1100a and the feeding portion 1102b on the lower stage side can be reduced in the vertical direction. In this manner, a height of a position in which the storage 1100a on the upper stage side can be set lower. Thus, the height of the main body frame 1200 of the feeding module 1000 can be reduced without decreasing the number of sheets that can be stored in the storage 1100a.

[0069] In the embodiment, the configurations of the storages 1100a, 1100b, and 1100c, each including the sealing plate 1152 provided with the hermetic seal 1154, have been described. In the case in which the hermetic seal 1154 is used, a reduction in the space formed between the storage 1100a and the lower plate 1270a in the vertical direction has been described. However, the embodiment is also applicable to a sheet stacking apparatus in a case in which the hermetic seal 1154 is not used. For example, a space in the vertical direction may be formed between the storage 1100a and the lower plate 1270a due to the presence of a functional component that drives the lifter plate 1140. According to the embodiment, the space in the vertical direction, which is formed between the storage 1100a and the lower plate 1270a due to the presence of the functional component that drives the lifter plate 1140, can also be reduced. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 using an ink jet system has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment may be an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system.

[0070] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0071] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-137571, filed Aug. 25, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.