Paper feeder, auxiliary roller, paper feeding method using the same, and recording apparatus incorporating the same

摘要

An auxiliary roller (10) is disposed in the proximity of sides of feed rollers (3) and in the proximity upward from a separation pad (11a). At the print time, the auxiliary roller (10) is slightly projected toward the side of print sheet (P) from roller faces of the feed rollers (3). The auxiliary roller (10) is displaced as paper (P) is displaced in a stack direction of the paper, and can be freely rotated. A hopper (2) is moved up, paper (P) is pressed against the feed rollers (3), and the separation pad (11a) abuts the feed rollers (3). Then, the feed rollers (3) and a transport roller (6) are rotated forward for feeding the paper (P) to the transport roller. Further, the paper (P) is sent from the transport roller (6) at a distance equal to or greater than the length along the feeding path between the position of the front end of paper placed in a paper feed tray (1) and the abutment center point of the separation pad (11a) and the feed rollers (3). Subsequently, the feed rollers (3) and the transport roller (6) stop, the hopper (2) is moved down, and the separation pad (11a) is brought away from the feed rollers (3) . Then, the transport roller (6) is rotated reversely the rotation amount corresponding to the length or more for returning the paper. IMAGE