Patent ID: 8002264

Claim:
An automatic document feeder comprising: a cover; an input tray configured to receive a document; an output tray positioned below the input tray; transfer elements for transferring the document from the input tray to the output tray; an input transfer path configured to guide the document during transfer from the input tray, past a scanning point, to an end point positioned above the input tray; and an output transfer path configured to guide the document during transfer from the end point past the scanning point to the output tray; and an intermediate transfer path configured to guide the document during transfer from the end point, past the scanning point, to the end point again, wherein the intermediate transfer path and the input transfer path overlap to form a common path; wherein the common path forms a loop from a connection point, included in the input transfer path between the input tray and the scanning point and in the intermediate transfer path from the end point to the scanning point, returning to the connection point included in the input transfer path and the intermediate transfer path between the scanning point and the end point, wherein a first guide member is configured to open the common path from the input tray to the scanning point, the first guide member including a pair of guide members, one of the pair of guide members configured to be separated from the other of the pair of guide members responsive to the cover being moved to an open position.