Sheet feeding device and image-forming apparatus

An image-forming apparatus comprising a sheet feeding device and image forming means for forming an image on a fed sheet, the sheet feeding apparatus comprising:

• air-type separating means for separating a sheet one at a time by blowing air on both side edge surfaces of a loaded sheet stack;
• air suctioning means for suctioning an uppermost separated sheet;
• a pair of side fences, which control a location of both side edges of the sheet stack with respect to a sheet width direction that is orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction, and which are configured to move in the sheet width direction;
• and
• sheet feeding means for feeding the sheet held by suction by the air suctioning means in the sheet feeding direction,
• the air-type separating means having a plurality of side air outlets via which air is blown onto the respective side edge surfaces of the sheet stack, and a side air blowing drive source which is communicatively connected to the plurality of side air outlets, and
• the plurality of side air outlets being disposed in at least two locations opposite the respective side edge surfaces of the sheet stack, and the side air outlets each being disposed at different distances from the leading edge of the sheet stack with respect to the sheet feeding direction such that no two side air outlets are at a same distance from the leading edge of the sheet stack with respect to the sheet feeding direction, and one side air outlet being attached to each side fence and moving with the side fence.

A sheet feeding apparatus comprising:

• an air-type separating unit configured to separate a sheet one at a time by blowing air on both side edge surfaces of a loaded sheet stack;
• an air suctioning unit configured to suction an uppermost separated sheet;
• a pair of side fences, which control a location of both side edges of the sheet stack with respect to a sheet width direction that is orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction, and which are configured to move in the sheet width direction;
• and
• a sheet feeding unit configured to heat the sheet held by suction by the air suctioning unit in the sheet feeding direction,
• wherein the air-type separating unit has a plurality of side air outlets via which air is blown onto the respective side edge surfaces of the sheet stack, and a side air blowing drive source which is communicatively connected to the plurality of side air outlets, and
• the plurality of side air outlets are disposed in at least two locations opposite the respective side edge surfaces of the sheet stack, and the side air outlets are each disposed at different distances from the leading edge of the sheet stack with respect to the sheet feeding direction such that no two side air outlets are at a same distance from the leading edge of the sheet stack with respect to the sheet feeding direction, and one side air outlet being attached to each side fence and moving with the side fence.