Sheet container, image forming apparatus and sheet stacking method

Abstract

A sheet container includes a case configured to contain a plurality of sheets stacked in a stacking direction, a first regulating member configured to regulate a first side of the sheets along a first direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, a second regulating member configured to regulate a second side perpendicular to the first side along a second direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and the first direction, the second regulating member to form a rectangular area with the first regulating member under the sheets, a tray configured to support a lower surface of a lowermost sheet of the sheets, and a guide member inclined with respect to the stacking direction, the first direction and the second direction on the rectangular area, and formed higher from a position lower than the lower surface of the lowermost sheet as approaching a closest corner in the rectangular area.

1 . A sheet container comprising:
 a case configured to contain a plurality of sheets stacked in a stacking direction;   a first regulating member configured to regulate a first side of the sheets along a first direction perpendicular to the stacking direction;   a second regulating member configured to regulate a second side perpendicular to the first side along a second direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and the first direction, the second regulating member to form a rectangular area with the first regulating member under the sheets;   a tray configured to support a lower surface of a lowermost sheet of the sheets; and   a guide member inclined with respect to the stacking direction, the first direction and the second direction on the rectangular area, and formed higher from a position lower than the lower surface of the lowermost sheet as approaching a closest corner in the rectangular area.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first regulating member moves in the second direction. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the guide member moves together with the first regulating member. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the guide member moves from an outside position of the first side of a sheet having a maximum width in the second direction among the stacked sheets to an inside. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the tray comprises a stacking surface to support the lower surface of the stacked sheet in an area except an area where the first regulating member moves. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the guide member comprises a triangular shape. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein one side of the guide member is along a bottom of the case. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the guide member is elastically deformed by weight of the stacked sheets, and is displaced in a direction of approaching a bottom of the case. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the guide member is elastically deformed in a space where the guide member does not contact the first regulating member. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the guide member is a sheet-like member. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising a support member to support a posture of the guide member. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a cushion member which is positioned between the tray and a bottom of the case and is elastically deformed by receiving weight of the tray. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the guide member is positioned above a stacking surface of the tray to support the lower surface of the stacked sheet. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein when a maximum stacking amount of sheets is placed on the tray, the guide member receives weight of the stacked sheets and is elastically deformed, and the edge is displaced to a position lower than the stacking surface. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first regulating member includes a wall to regulate the first side of the sheets and a base section to support the wall, and   the guide member is positioned on the base section.   
     
     
         16 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a sheet container including
 a case configured to contain a plurality of sheets stacked in a stacking direction, 
 a first regulating member configured to regulate a first side of the sheets along a first direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, 
 a second regulating member configured to regulate a second side perpendicular to the first side along a second direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and the first direction, the second regulating member to form a rectangular area with the first regulating member under the sheets, 
 a tray configured to support a lower surface of a lowermost sheet of the sheets, and 
 a guide member inclined with respect to the stacking direction, the first direction and the second direction on the rectangular area, and formed higher from a position lower than the lower surface of the lowermost sheet as approaching a closest corner in the rectangular area; 
   an image forming section to form an image on the sheets; and   a conveying section to convey the sheets stacked on the case to the image forming section.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first regulating member moves in the second direction. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the guide member moves together with the first regulating member. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the guide member comprises a triangular shape. 
     
     
         20 . A sheet stacking method for a sheet container including a case configured to contain a plurality of sheets stacked in a stacking direction, a first regulating member configured to regulate a first side of the sheets along a first direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, a second regulating member configured to regulate a second side perpendicular to the first side along a second direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and the first direction, the second regulating member to form a rectangular area with the first regulating member under the sheets, a tray configured to support a lower surface of a lowermost sheet of the sheets, and a guide member inclined with respect to the stacking direction, the first direction and the second direction on the rectangular area, and formed higher from a position lower than the lower surface of the lowermost sheet as approaching a closest corner in the rectangular area, the stacking method comprising:
 stacking a plurality of sheets on the tray; and   moving the stacked sheets in the first direction while a corner of the sheets is placed on the guide member.