Sheet separation device, sheet feed tray including the sheet separation device, and sheet feed apparatus including the sheet separation device

A sheet feed tray comprising:

• a sheet separation device comprising:
• a separation member comprising a plurality of first separation portions configured to separate fed sheets one by one by contacting the fed sheets;
• and
• a turning member having an inclined surface and a plurality of holes formed therethrough, the turning member comprising a plurality of second separation portions, wherein
• the inclined surface is positioned to contact the fed sheets and turn a transport direction of the sheets,
• the plurality of the holes are arranged along a first direction, wherein the first direction is a transport direction of the sheets,
• the plurality of the second separation portions are configured to contact the fed sheets, thereby separating the fed sheets one by one, and each of the plurality of the second separation portions is positioned between a corresponding two of the plurality of the holes, and
• each of the plurality of the first separation portions is positioned to protrude from a corresponding one of the plurality of the holes;
• and
• a holding section configured to stack and hold the sheets to be fed.

A sheet feed apparatus comprising:

• a sheet separation device comprising:
• a separation member comprising a plurality of first separation portions configured to separate fed sheets one by one by contacting the fed sheets;
• and
• a turning member having an inclined surface and a plurality of holes formed therethrough, the turning member comprising a plurality of second separation portions, wherein
• the inclined surface is positioned to contact the fed sheets and turn a transport direction of the sheets,
• the plurality of the holes are arranged along a first direction, wherein the first direction is a transport direction of the sheets,
• the plurality of the second separation portions are configured to contact the fed sheets, thereby separating the fed sheets one by one, and each of the plurality of the second separation portions is positioned between a corresponding two of the plurality of the holes, and
• each of the plurality of the first separation portions is positioned to protrude from a corresponding one of the plurality of the holes;
• and
• a feed roller configured to feed the sheet toward the sheet separation device.