Automatic paper feeding apparatus

Abstract

An automatic paper feeding apparatus which automatically feeds sheets one by one to an image forming portion, comprises a sheet storing plate, a paper-feeder roller for feeding sheets stored on the sheet storing plate, a transport roller positioned at the downstream relative to the paper-feeder roller in the paper feeding direction and rotatable in the paper feeding direction, a separation roller touching and pressing the transport roller and rotatable in the reverse direction to the paper feeding direction, a supporting plate for rotatably supporting the separation roller and being pivotably provided to move in the direction where the separation roller touches with and separates from the transport roller and being urged by an elastic member so as to cause the separation roller to be pressed toward the transport roller, and a guide plate for guiding a sheet into the nipping portion between the transport roller and the separation roller. The guide plate can leave and enter a paper feeding path integrally with or independent of the supporting plate. In the apparatus, sheets are fed from the top sheet by the rotation of the paper-feeder roller, and guided into the nipping portion between the transport roller and the separation roller. Then, out of the sheets having been guided into the nipping portion, only the top sheet is fed to the downstream, which the other sheets are fed back by the rotation of the separation roller.