Patent ID: 7472903
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet feeder, comprising: an input tray configured to hold a plurality of sheets therein; a first roller configured to contact and to feed the plurality of sheets one by one in a sheet feeding direction to a feed path; a first contact member configured to apply a pressure to the plurality of sheets in a direction toward the first roller; a second roller disposed on a downstream side of the first roller, wherein the second roller is configured to feed the plurality of sheets fed by the first roller further in the sheet feeding direction; a second contact member configured to contact the second roller and to separate the plurality of sheets fed by the first roller; a motor configured to drive each of the first roller and the second roller; a drive transmission mechanism configured to selectively transmit a driving force from the motor to each of the first roller and the second roller, wherein the drive transmission mechanism comprises a clutch configured to enable the first roller to rotate within a predetermined range of rotation in the sheet feeding direction during an idle condition; and a return mechanism configured to enable the first roller to rotate within the predetermined range of rotation in a direction that is opposite to the sheet feeding direction.