Feeding device and image recording apparatus with the feeding device

{
  "publication_number": "US2010225050A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Feeding device and image recording apparatus with the feeding device",
  "abstract": "A feeding device has a conveying roller that rotates in a forward direction and a reverse direction, to selectively convey a sheet in a conveying direction and a reverse conveying direction. A particular guide member is positioned on an upstream side, guides the conveyed sheet toward the conveying roller, and has a stopper that contacts an end portion of the sheet, thereby stopping movement of the sheet in the reverse conveying direction. A control unit causes the conveying roller to rotate the conveying roller in the forward direction, such that the sheet is conveyed to a predetermined position, then to rotate the conveying roller in the reverse direction, wherein the end portion of the sheet contacts the stopper while the conveying roller rotates in the reverse direction, and then to again rotate the conveying roller in the forward direction, such that the sheet is conveyed toward the conveying roller.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A feeding device comprising: a conveying roller configured to selectively rotate in a forward direction and a reverse direction, the conveying roller configured selectively to convey a sheet toward a downstream side in a conveying direction when the conveying roller is rotated in the forward direction, and to convey the sheet in a reverse conveying direction opposite the conveying direction when the conveying roller is rotated in the reverse direction; a particular guide member positioned on an upstream side of the conveying roller in the conveying direction and configured to guide the conveyed sheet toward the conveying roller, the particular guide member comprising a stopper configured to contact an end portion of the sheet when the sheet is conveyed in the reverse conveying direction by the reverse rotation of the conveying roller, thereby stopping movement of the sheet in the reverse conveying direction when the end portion of the sheet contacts the stopper; and a control unit configured to control the conveying roller to: rotate the conveying roller in the forward direction, such that the sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction to a predetermined position; rotate the conveying roller in the reverse direction, after the sheet has been conveyed to the predetermined position, such that the sheet is conveyed a predetermined amount in the reverse conveying direction, wherein the end portion of the sheet contacts the stopper while the conveying roller rotates in the reverse direction; and after rotating the conveying roller in the forward direction and in the reverse direction, to again rotate the conveying roller in the forward direction, such that the sheet is conveyed toward the conveying roller. 2. The feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a movable member configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the movable member is in the first position when the conveying roller rotates the first time in the forward direction, and the movable member is in the second position when the conveying roller rotates in the reverse direction. 3. The feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a further guide member, wherein the control unit further controls the conveying roller to: after subsequently rotating the conveying roller in the forward direction, again rotating the conveying roller in the reverse direction, such that the sheet is conveyed toward the further guide member. 4. The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper comprises a stepped portion configured to be contacted by the end of the sheet. 5. The feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising an accommodating portion positioned below the conveying roller, wherein when the conveying roller rotates in the reverse direction, at least a portion of the sheet is curled, and the accommodating portion is configured to accommodate the curled portion of the sheet. 6. The feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the further guide member extends downward from the conveying roller and is configured to guide the conveyed sheet downward from the conveying roller. 7. The feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the particular guide member comprises a rotating member configured to rotate about a support shaft positioned on the upstream side in the conveying direction, wherein the rotating member rotates about the support shaft between a first supported state and a second supported state, wherein the rotating member is further away from the further guide member in the second state than when the rotating member is in the first supported state, and wherein the rotating member is in the first supported state when the conveying roller first rotates in the forward direction, and the rotating member is in the second supported state when the conveying roller first rotates in the reverse direction. 8. The feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the rotating member is configured to exert a pressing force that presses a trailing end of the sheet toward the further guide member, and wherein the pressing force is smaller than a reaction force exerted by the sheet supported by the particular guide member and is larger than a reaction force exerted by the sheet whose trailing end has passed through the particular guide member. 9. The feeding device according to claim 8, wherein the pressing force is related to a weight of the rotating member. 10. The feeding device according to claim 6, wherein the rotating member transitions to the first supported state as the conveyed sheet contacts the rotating member. 11. The feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the rotating member comprises: a protruding portion configured to contact the sheet when the rotating member is in the first supported state; and a pressing portion configured to press the sheet toward the further guide member when the rotating member is in the second supported state. 12. The feeding device according to claim 11, wherein the protruding portion comprises a roller. 13. The feeding device according to claim 12, wherein the roller has a spur shape. 14. The feeding device according to claim 11, wherein the pressing portion comprises a roller. 15. The feeding device according to claim 14, wherein the roller has a spur shape. 16. The feeding device according to claim 7, wherein a recess is formed in the particular guide member at an end of the downstream side of the particular guide member, and wherein at least a portion of the rotating member is positioned in the recess when the rotating member is in the second supported state. 17. The feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the rotating member has a flap-like shape and configuration. 18. The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein a trailing end of the sheet is held by the particular guide member in the predetermined position. 19. An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium; and a feeding device comprising: a conveying roller configured to selectively rotate in a forward direction and a reverse direction, the conveying roller configured selectively to convey a sheet toward a downstream side in a conveying direction when the conveying roller is rotated in the forward direction, and to convey the sheet in a reverse conveying direction opposite the conveying direction when the conveying roller is rotated in the reverse direction; a particular guide member positioned on an upstream side of the conveying roller in the conveying direction and configured to guide the conveyed sheet toward the conveying roller, the particular guide member comprising a stopper configured to contact an end portion of the sheet when the sheet is conveyed in the reverse conveying direction by the reverse rotation of the conveying roller, thereby stopping movement of the sheet in the reverse conveying direction when the end portion of the sheet contacts the stopper; and a control unit configured to control the conveying roller to: rotate the conveying roller in the forward direction, such that the sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction to a predetermined position; rotate the conveying roller in the reverse direction, after the sheet has been conveyed to the predetermined position, such that the sheet is conveyed a predetermined amount in the reverse conveying direction, wherein the end portion of the sheet contacts the stopper while the conveying roller rotates in the reverse direction; and after rotating the conveying roller in the forward direction and in the reverse direction, to again rotate the conveying roller in the forward direction, such that the sheet is conveyed toward the conveying roller."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B41J 3/60",
    "B41J 11/0005",
    "B41J 13/0045",
    "B65H 2301/33312",
    "B65H 2301/512125",
    "B65H 2402/46",
    "B65H 2404/61",
    "B65H 2404/72",
    "B65H 2801/06",
    "B65H 5/38",
    "H04N 1/00572",
    "H04N 1/00578",
    "H04N 1/0058",
    "H04N 1/00618",
    "H04N 2201/0082",
    "H04N 2201/0093",
    "Y10S 271/902"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BROTHER IND LTD"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2010-03-05",
  "publication_date": "2010-09-09",
  "priority_date": "2009-03-06",
  "application_number": "US-71878210-A",
  "family_id": "42677525",
  "citations": [
    "US2005046686A1",
    "US2007122225A1",
    "US2010207321A1",
    "US4956678A"
  ]
}