Feeding apparatus having a feed-in-roller arranged to move in a linear direction to prevent curling of the leading edge of a paper during the feeding operation

Abstract

A paper-feeding mechanism includes a paper tray to receive a stack of papers therein, and a paper-separating plate disposed below and extending frontwardly from the paper tray. A feed-in roller is disposed in front of the paper tray in such a manner that rotation of the feed-in roller results in feeding operation of a sheet of paper from the paper tray via the paper-separating plate. An urging member urges constantly the feed-in roller to push the papers toward the paper tray.

1 . A paper-feeding apparatus comprising: 
 a housing including 
 a paper tray for receiving a plurality of papers therein,  
 a paper-separating plate disposed below said paper tray, and extending therefrom in a longitudinal direction, said housing further defining a guide slot formed neighboring to said paper tray, said guide slot and said paper tray cooperatively defining a predetermined angle therebetween;  
 a feed-in roller disposed above said paper tray and movably associated with said guide slot in such a manner that rotation of said feed-in roller results in feeding operation of a sheet of paper from said paper tray via said paper-separating plate; and  
 an urging member disposed between said housing and said feed-in roller for constantly urging said feed-in roller move toward said paper tray along said guide slot.  
   
   
   
       2 . The paper-feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide slot extends in a direction parallel to said longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       3 . The paper-feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a driving motor and a swing gearset operably connected to said driving motor for rotating said feed-in roller.  
   
   
       4 . The paper-feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said urging member includes a tension spring having a mounting end fastened securely to said housing and an urging end coupled to said feed-in roller in such a manner to bias said feed-in roller abutting against said paper tray.  
   
   
       5 . The paper-feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a roller carrier that has two spaced-apart front and rear engaging tongues slidiably engaging said guide slot.  
   
   
       6 . The paper-feeding apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said guide slot includes a front slot section and a rear slot section, said spaced-apart engaging tongues of said roller carrier slidably engaging said front and rear slot sections of said guide slot, said feed-in roller being journalled to said roller carrier between said front and rear engaging tongues.  
   
   
       7 . The paper-feeding apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a roller carrier having an elongated engaging tongue slidably engaging said guide slot, said feed-in roller being journalled to said roller carrier frontwardly of said elongated engaging tongue.  
   
   
       8 . A paper-feeding mechanism for a feeding apparatus that includes a housing and a mouth for access into the housing, the paper-feeding mechanism comprising: 
 a paper tray for receiving a plurality of papers therein;    a paper-separating plate disposed below said paper tray;    a feed-in roller disposed above said paper tray and abutting against said papers in such a manner that rotation of said feed-in roller results in feeding operation of the paper sheet from said paper tray into the housing via said paper-separating plate and the mouth;    a roller carrier disposed above said paper-separating plate to permit adjusting the distance between said feed-in roller and said paper tray according to the thickness of the papers; and    an urging member connected to said roller carrier for urging said feed-in roller move toward said paper tray.    
   
   
       9 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein said urging member includes a tension spring having a mounting end adapted to be fastened securely to the housing and an urging end coupled to said roller carrier in such a manner to bias said feed-in roller move toward said paper tray.  
   
   
       10 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein said urging member includes a torsion spring having a mounting end adapted to be fastened securely to the housing and an urging end coupled to said roller carrier in such a manner to bias said feed-in roller move toward said paper tray.  
   
   
       11 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein said paper tray defines a first thickness when loaded with the plurality of papers and a second thickness when non-loaded, said first and second thickness cooperatively defining a moving range for said roller carrier.  
   
   
       12 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 8 , further comprising a driving motor and a swing gearset operably connected to said driving motor for rotating said feed-in roller.  
   
   
       13 . A paper-feeding mechanism for a feeding apparatus that includes a housing and a mouth for access into the housing, the paper-feeding mechanism comprising: 
 a paper tray for receiving a plurality of papers therein;    a paper-separating plate disposed below said paper tray, and extending therefrom in a longitudinal direction toward the mouth;    a guide slot disposed at an elevation above said paper-separating plate, disposed neighboring to said paper tray, said guide slot and said paper tray defining a predetermined angle therebetween;    a feed-in roller disposed above said paper tray and associated movably with said guide slot in such a manner that rotation of said feed-in roller results in feeding operation of the paper sheet from said paper tray into the housing via said paper-separating plate and the mouth; and    a roller carrier disposed above said paper-separating plate to permit journaling of said feed-in roller.    
   
   
       14 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 13 , wherein said paper tray defines a first thickness when loaded with the plurality of papers and a second thickness when non-loaded, said first and second thickness cooperatively defining a moving range for said roller carrier.  
   
   
       15 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 13 , further comprising a driving motor and a swing gearset operably connected to said driving motor for rotating said feed-in roller.  
   
   
       16 . A paper-feeding mechanism for a feeding apparatus that includes a housing and a mouth for access into the housing, the paper-feeding mechanism comprising: 
 a paper tray for receiving a plurality of papers therein;    a paper-separating plate disposed below said paper tray, and extending therefrom in a longitudinal direction toward the mouth;    a feed-in roller disposed above said paper tray and abutting against said papers in such a manner that rotation of said feed-in roller results in feeding operation of the paper sheet from said paper tray into the housing via said paper-separating plate and the mouth;    a roller carrier disposed at an elevation above said paper-separating plate to permit journaling of said feed-in roller to said roller carrier; and    an urging member connected to said roller carrier for constantly urging said roller carrier so as to bias said feed-in roller move toward said paper tray.    
   
   
       17 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 16 , wherein said urging member includes a tension spring having a mounting end adapted fastened securely to the housing and an urging end coupled to said roller carrier in such a manner to bias said feed-in roller abutting against said paper tray.  
   
   
       18 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 16 , wherein said urging member includes a torsion spring having a mounting end adapted to be fastened securely to the housing and an urging end coupled to said roller carrier in such a manner to bias said feed-in roller move toward said paper tray.  
   
   
       19 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 16 , wherein said paper tray defines a first thickness when loaded with the plurality of papers and a second thickness when non-loaded, said first and second thickness cooperatively defining a moving range for said roller carrier.  
   
   
       20 . The paper-feeding mechanism according to  claim 16 , further comprising a driving motor and a swing gearset operably connected to said driving motor for rotating said feed-in roller.