Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus having an edge aligned system always maintains a nip between an intermittently driven pick roll and a friction or separator pad. When a top sheet of a stack is being advanced by the pick roll, a first spring exerts a first force on the friction or separator pad to enable advancement and separation of the top sheet. When the pick roll is stopped, a second spring exerts a second force substantially smaller than the first force on the friction or separator pad but sufficient to maintain the nip between the pick roll and the friction or separator pad to retard.