Abstract: A separating pawl is attached to a fixed portion around a rotatable member, and a separating end of the separating pawl extends from a fixed end of the separating pawl onto a circumferential surface of the rotatable member. A portion between the separating end and the fixed end of the separating pawl forms a convex arch in the same direction as that of the rotatable member. A pressing plate is attached to the fixed portion around the rotatable member, and is brought in contact with the convex side of the separating pawl so that the separating end of the separating pawl comes in contact with the rotatable member to press the separating pawl for performing a sheet separating operation.