Automatic paper feed device, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

An automatic paper feed device is provided, including a cover member that has a paper insertion opening in a nearly rectangular shape, the paper insertion opening having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to both a transport direction of the paper and a thickness direction of the paper. The paper insertion opening includes a first end opening portion, a second end opening portion, and a center opening portion arranged in the longitudinal direction of the paper insertion opening. The paper insertion opening connects a placement unit, in which paper is placed, with a separation and transport mechanism, that separates paper placed in the placement unit and transports paper placed in the placement unit in the transport direction. The first and second end opening portions are each larger in size than the central opening portion.

1 . An automatic paper feed device comprising:
 a placement unit in which paper is placed;   a transport mechanism which transports the paper in a transport direction;   a cover member; and   a paper insertion opening, a top of the paper insertion opening being defined by a bottom edge of the cover member intersecting the transport direction;   the bottom edge of the cover member comprising:
 a first end portion; 
 a second end portion; and 
 a center portion; 
 wherein the first end portion is disposed on one side of the center portion, and the second end portion is disposed on the other side of the center portion; and 
   wherein the center portion of the bottom edge of the cover member extends in a thickness direction of the paper, relative to the first and second end portions of the bottom edge of the cover member.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic paper feed device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the bottom edge of the cover member has a curvilinear shape.   
     
     
         3 . The automatic paper feed device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the bottom edge of the cover member extends smoothly and gradually from the center portion of the bottom edge of the cover member to the first end portion of the bottom edge of the cover member; and   wherein the bottom edge of the cover member extends smoothly and gradually from the center portion of the bottom edge of the cover member to the second end portion of the bottom edge of the cover member.   
     
     
         4 . The automatic paper feed device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the top of the center portion of the bottom edge of the cover member extends in a direction opposite, and parallel, to the transport direction of the paper, relative to the tops of the first and second end portions of the bottom edge of the cover member.   
     
     
         5 . The automatic paper feed device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein a pair of paper guides are provided in the paper placement unit, the pair of paper guides being movable in a longitudinal direction of the paper insertion opening,   wherein the pair of paper guides contacts sides of the paper parallel to the transport direction and guides the transport of the paper;   wherein at least a part of the first end portion of the bottom edge of the cover member exists in a location corresponding to a position between the pair of paper guides, even when the distance between the pair of paper guides is at its smallest; and   wherein at least a part of the second end portion of the bottom edge of the cover member exists in a location corresponding to a position between the pair of paper guides, even when the distance between the pair of paper guides is at its smallest.   
     
     
         6 . The automatic paper feed device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the bottom edge of the cover member is symmetric with respect to a nearly central part of the bottom edge of the cover member in a longitudinal direction of the bottom edge of the cover member.   
     
     
         7 . The automatic paper feed device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the automatic paper feed device is provided in an image reading apparatus, having an image pick-up device that (1) generates an electrical signal based on received light and (2) reads an image contained in an original;   the image reading apparatus comprising:
 a reading window for image reading. 
   
     
     
         8 . The automatic paper feed device according to  claim 1 ;
 wherein the automatic paper feed device is provided in an image forming apparatus;   the image forming apparatus comprising:
 an image forming unit that forms an image on paper.