Paper feed apparatus, image forming apparatus and image forming system

摘要

A paper feed apparatus capable of properly feeding various types of sheets is described. The paper feed apparatus includes a plurality of paper feed units, and a control unit which determines the printing suitability of a combination of the sheet and the paper feed unit on the basis of the size and stiffness of the sheet stored in the paper tray. Each of the paper feed units includes a paper tray, a paper feeding device for feeding sheets, and conveyance rollers for conveying sheets fed from the paper feeding device. The plurality of paper feed units include at least one first paper feed unit configured in order that a sheet enters the conveyance rollers through a conveying route which is curved, and at least one second paper feed unit configured in order that a sheet enters the conveyance rollers through a conveying route which is linear.

主权项

1. A paper feed apparatus comprising:
a first paper feed unit which includes a first paper tray, a first paper feeding device structured to feed a sheet stored in the first paper tray, and a first paper conveyance unit structured to convey the sheet fed from the first paper feeding device and align the sheet by halting with such a timing as the leading edge of the sheet collides with the halted first paper conveyance unit, wherein the sheet fed from the first paper feeding device enters the first paper conveyance unit through a first conveying route which is curved; a second paper feed unit which includes a second paper tray, a second paper feeding device structured to feed a sheet stored in the second paper tray, and a second paper conveyance unit structured to convey the sheet fed from the second paper feeding device and align the sheet by halting with such a timing as the leading edge of the sheet collides with the halted second paper conveyance unit, wherein the sheet fed from the second paper feeding device enters the second paper conveyance unit through a second conveying route which is different than the first conveying route in curving condition; an acquisition unit structured to acquire the information about at least the size and stiffness of the sheet stored in the first paper tray; and a control unit structured to determine the printing suitability of a combination of the sheet stored in the first paper tray and the first paper feed unit including the first paper tray on the basis of the acquired information about the size and stiffness of the sheet stored in the first paper tray and determination criteria which are stored in advance.