Patent ID: 8351092

Claim:
An image reader comprising: a transfer path through which a sheet medium is transferred; a transfer means for transferring the medium through the transfer path; a scanner for reading image data printed on the medium by scanning mainly in a medium-width-wise direction, perpendicular to a medium transfer direction in which the medium is transferred, and by sub-scanning in the medium transfer direction; and a bristle brush roller facing the scanner across the transfer path and having bristles implanted on a surface of the roller; wherein a gap exists between the bristle brush roller and a reading surface of the scanner for allowing the medium to pass through; wherein, when the transfer means transfers the medium in the medium transfer direction, the bristle brush roller regulates a surface opposite to a to-be-read surface of the medium in order to guide the medium; and wherein the gap is sized such that, when the medium is transferred between the bristle brush roller and the reading surface of the scanner, the image data of the medium is held within a depth of filed of the scanner without bruising the reading surface of the scanner.