Automatic document feeder having detachable sheet-pressing slice

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice. The automatic document feeder is mounted on a scanning apparatus having a scanning window. By means of the automatic document feeder, multiple documents are successively transported across the scanning window of the scanning apparatus to perform the scanning operation. The automatic document feeder includes a casing and a sheet-feeding mechanism. The detachable sheet-pressing slice is disposed at a lower part of the sheet-feeding mechanism. In a case that the detachable sheet-pressing slice is damaged, only the detachable sheet-pressing slice needs to be detached from the automatic document feeder and replaced with a new one. As a consequence, the maintenance of the detachable sheet-pressing slice is very easy and speedy.

1 . An automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice, said automatic document feeder being mounted on a scanning apparatus having a scanning window, said automatic document feeder comprising:
 a casing; and   a sheet-feeding mechanism inside said casing, wherein said detachable sheet-pressing slice is disposed at a lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism and around said scanning window for pressing a document passing through said scanning window.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 1  wherein a retaining recess is further formed at said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism for receiving said detachable sheet-pressing slice therein. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 2  wherein said detachable sheet-pressing slice includes a fixing member and a sheet-pressing member. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 3  wherein a hook structure is protruded from an inner wall of said retaining recess, and a concave structure is formed in said fixing member, wherein said detachable sheet-pressing slice is fixed on said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism when said detachable sheet-pressing slice is inserted into said retaining recess and said hook structure and said concave structure are engaged with each other. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 4  wherein an ejecting hole is further formed at said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism for allowing a sharp-pointed stick to penetrate therethrough and push said fixing member, thereby disengaging said hook structure from said concave structure. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 3  wherein a concave structure is formed in an inner wall of said retaining recess, and a hook structure is protruded from said fixing member, wherein said detachable sheet-pressing slice is fixed on said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism when said detachable sheet-pressing slice is inserted into said retaining recess and said hook structure and said concave structure are engaged with each other. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 6  wherein an ejecting hole is further formed at said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism for allowing a sharp-pointed stick to penetrate therethrough and push said fixing member, thereby disengaging said hook structure from said concave structure. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 2  wherein said detachable sheet-pressing slice is a sheet-pressing member with a concave structure. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 8  wherein a hook structure is protruded from an inner wall of said retaining recess, and said detachable sheet-pressing slice is fixed on said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism when said detachable sheet-pressing slice is inserted into said retaining recess and said hook structure and said concave structure are engaged with each other. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 9  wherein an ejecting hole is further formed at said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism for allowing a sharp-pointed stick to penetrate therethrough and push said fixing member, thereby disengaging said hook structure from said concave structure. 
     
     
         11 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 8  wherein said detachable sheet-pressing slice further one or more salient structures to be sustained against an inner wall of said retaining recess. 
     
     
         12 . An automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice, said automatic document feeder comprising:
 a casing; and   a sheet-feeding mechanism inside said casing, and including a retaining recess, a fixing member and a sheet-pressing member, wherein said retaining recess is disposed at a lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism, said fixing member is received in said retaining recess, and said sheet-pressing member is attached on said fixing member.   
     
     
         13 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 12  wherein a hook structure is protruded from an inner wall of said retaining recess, and a concave structure is formed in said fixing member. 
     
     
         14 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 12  wherein an ejecting hole is further formed at said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism and communicated with said retaining recess. 
     
     
         15 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 12  wherein a concave structure is formed in an inner wall of said retaining recess, and a hook structure is protruded from said fixing member. 
     
     
         16 . An automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice, said automatic document feeder comprising:
 a casing; and   a sheet-feeding mechanism inside said casing, and including a retaining recess and a sheet-pressing member, wherein said retaining recess is disposed at a lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism and includes a hook structure protruded from an inner wall thereof, and said sheet-pressing member is fixed in said retaining recess and has a concave structure to be engaged with said hook structure.   
     
     
         17 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 16  wherein an ejecting hole is further formed at said lower part of said sheet-feeding mechanism and communicated with said retaining recess. 
     
     
         18 . The automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice according to  claim 16  wherein said detachable sheet-pressing slice further one or more salient structures to be sustained against an inner wall of said sheet-pressing member.