# US 2016/0355356 A1 · Image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0355356 A1 - Document ID: US20160355356A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/172,925 - Filed: 2016-06-03 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-05 - Assignees: Funai Electric Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Funai Electric Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Shoichi Fukuyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355356A1 ## CPC - B65H 3/56: Elements, e.g. scrapers, fingers, needles, brushes, acting on separated article or on edge of the pile {(B65H3/52 takes precedence)} - B65H 3/0661: {for separating inclined-stacked articles with separator rollers above the stack} - B65H 2404/513: with limited number of active areas - B65H 2404/531: particular coefficient of friction - B65H 2404/61: Longitudinally-extending strips, tubes, plates, or wires - B65H 2404/62: Transversely-extending bars or tubes - B65H 2405/211: bottom - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a placement portion that include a first surface on which a medium is placed and a protruding portion, a feed roller that opposes the placement portion, a second surface that forms an obtuse angle with the first surface, and a restriction portion disposed downstream of the feed roller in a conveyance direction on the placement portion and that restricts movement of the medium to a predetermined direction. The protruding portion is disposed between the feed roller and the restriction portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus, comprising: a placement portion that include a first surface on which a medium is placed and a protruding portion; a feed roller that opposes the placement portion; a second surface that forms an obtuse angle with the first surface; and a restriction portion disposed downstream of the feed roller in a conveyance direction on the placement portion and that restricts movement of the medium to a predetermined direction, wherein the protruding portion is disposed between the feed roller and the restriction portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more restriction portions, wherein the restriction portions comprise supporters that support the medium placed on the placement portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the supporters comprise a first supporter and a second supporter, a second friction coefficient of the second supporter is larger than a first friction coefficient of the first supporter, and the protruding portion is disposed between the first supporter and the second supporter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first friction coefficient is smaller than a friction coefficient of the first surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the feed roller, the protruding portion, and the second supporter are disposed on one end-part side in a rotational axis direction of the feed roller on the first surface and the second surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a length of the second supporter from the second surface is greater than a length of the first supporter from the second surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second supporter is a friction part mounted on the first supporter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first supporter and the second supporter are formed from different materials. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of a region on which the protruding portion is formed on the first surface in a rotational axis direction of the feed roller is at least one third of a length of the feed roller in the rotational axis direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is disposed within a length of the feed roller in a rotational axis direction of the feed roller. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of the protruding portion from the first surface is one seventh or more and one fourth or less of a radius of the feed roller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an end part on a feed roller side of the protruding portion is disposed below the feed roller in a direction perpendicular to the first surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an end part on a feed roller side of the protruding portion is slanted in a direction approaching the first surface as the end part separates from the second surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion contacts the second surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is separated from the second surface by a predetermined interval. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of the protruding portion in a rotational axis direction of the feed roller is shorter than half a length of the feed roller in the rotational axis direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: one or more protruding portions, wherein the protruding portions are disposed in the rotational axis direction, and an interval between the protruding portions is a predetermined interval. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of the protruding portion in a rotational axis direction of the feed roller is greater than or equal to half a length of the feed roller in the rotational axis direction. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the protruding portions are lined up in the conveyance direction, and a longitudinal direction of the protruding portions is the rotational axis direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corner of the protruding portion is rounded.