Document feeder for image-forming apparatus and image-forming apparatus,

Abstract

According to a document feeder for an image-forming apparatus of the present invention, when a double-sided document fed from a feed paper stacker, the document with the front surface thereof having been read out by a document reader unit is inverted in a switch-back path provided between the document reader unit and a discharged paper stacker on which documents after having been read out will be stacked, and is conveyed again to the paper reader unit so that the back surface is read out. The document after its both surfaces have been read out is again inverted in the switch-back path and then discharged onto the discharged paper stacker. With such a construction, the documents after having been read out can be stacked in the order of sequence of pages of the documents. Furthermore, the size of the device can be decreased, contributing to shortening the time required for reading the double-sided document and to increasing the efficiency for forming images. Accordingly, disadvantages, such as the damage to the document, contamination of the document reader unit or the jam of the document in a halfway of conveyance, can be suppressed or prevented. Moreover, the document conveyed to the switch-back path from the feeder section does not hinder the document discharged onto the discharge stacker from the switch-back path, making it possible to convey the document smoothly and efficiently.