Patent ID: 6499732
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B65H,G03G

Abstract:
A manual paper feeder attached to an image forming apparatus comprising at least an image data receiving portion, and an image forming device, said manual paper feeder comprising;a manual feed unit for supplying a paper sheet by mounting said paper sheet by a user; and a paper sheet release unit including at lest a paper feed roller for carrying said paper sheet mounted on said manual feed unit, a frictional separation member for carrying said paper sheet by frictional force in which said paper sheet is held in place between the frictional separation member and said paper feed roller; and a frictional force variable mechanism for changing the frictional force for holding said paper between said paper feed roller and said frictional separation member, wherein said paper feed roller comprises a skin friction member in which the peripheral surface of said roller is covered with a material that includes a rubber material; and wherein said frictional separation member includes slits for reducing a contact area between the frictional separation member and said paper sheet.