Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a separating roller that is capable of switching between a separation state in which an original document is separated and a non-separation state in which the original document is not separated, and determines whether or not the original document is fed in the separation state or the non-separation state based on the types of the original document set through a user interface for instructing a select of the types of the original document to be read and a start of reading the original document.

Abstract: A multi-function printer includes a printer body and a scanner body. A printer module is disposed in the printer body. At least one first scanning module, at least one feeding roller and a sensor are disposed in the scanner body. The feeding roller and the sensor are disposed at an inlet of a sheet passage. When the sensor senses presence of a sheet medium, the first scanning module immediately performs image scanning on the sheet medium to obtain image data, and then the printer module prints out the image data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit, a first reading unit, a first guide portion, a second reading unit, and a second guide portion. The second reading unit includes a rectangular transparent member, an optical reading unit, a housing, a first and a second contact portions, a first and a second pressing members, and a protruding portion. The first and the second contact portions are protruding from a facing surface of the housing. The protruding portion, when viewed from an upstream side in a conveyance direction of a recording material passing through a conveyance path between the second reading unit and the second guide portion, is disposed between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and protruding from the facing surface of the housing, a protruding amount of the protruding portion being smaller than protruding amounts of the first and the second contact portions.

Abstract: An optical module positioning method for an image processing device is provided. The image processing device includes a scanning platform and an optical module. The scanning platform includes a first region, a second region, a third region and a fourth region. The fourth region is arranged between the first region and the second region. The first region is arranged between the third region and the fourth region. The optical module positioning method includes the following steps. Firstly, the optical module is driven to perform a scanning operation to acquire a scanned image while the optical module is not moved. Then, by judging the color values of two ends of the scanned image, the region where the optical module is stayed can be recognized according to the associated color values.

Abstract: In a case where a skew of a document being conveyed is detected by a detection unit, an image reading apparatus notifies that documents having different sheet widths may be included in documents stacked on a stacking unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (10) includes: a restriction processing portion (54) that, in a case where a difference between a separation distance between a pair of regulating portions (15) and a reference distance exceeds a threshold value, restricts execution of a reading process that reads image data of a document sheet place on a document sheet placing portion (11); a determination processing portion (52) that, in a case where an output process that outputs the image data read by the reading process is executed, determines whether or not the output process is a specific fax transmission process that establishes a communication connection for fax communication before execution of the reading process; and a prohibition processing portion (56) that, in a case where it is determined that the output process is the specific fax transmission process, prohibits restriction on the execution of the reading process.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, an imaging sensor, a reference member provided to be able to move between a first position facing the imaging sensor and a second position, a cam to make the reference member move, and an abutting member provided to make the cam move. The abutting member is located at a projecting position sticking out from the first housing, to make the cam move so that the reference member moves from the first position to the second position when the second housing is closed with respect to the first housing. The abutting member is provided so as to be able to retract when the second housing is opened and closed with respect to the first housing and abuts against the cam in the state located at the projecting position.

Abstract: A scanner includes a reading unit that reads an image of a paper, a medium feeding portion that is capable of selecting a first feeding mode in which a separation feeding for separately feeding a paper bundle in which a plurality of sheets of paper is overlapped with each other is performed and a second feeding mode in which a non-separation feeding for collectively feeding the paper bundle without separating is performed, and a pair of first transporting rollers and a pair of second transporting rollers that transport the paper fed by the medium feeding portion, in a case in which the medium feeding portion feeds the paper in the second feeding mode, a first driven roller and a second driven roller respectively constituting the pair of first transporting rollers and the pair of second transporting rollers are driven in a rotation direction where the paper is transported.

Abstract: A scanner is provided and includes a load bearing element, a scan assembly, a transparent plate and a casing. The load bearing element includes a support element and a base. The support element is disposed on the base and surrounds the base. The scan assembly is configured to perform a scan operation and is disposed on the base. The transparent plate is disposed on the support element and is configured to bear an object. The casing includes a first casing part and a second casing part. The second casing part includes a bottom plate and at least one cylinder. The at least one cylinder is disposed on the bottom plate. The load bearing element is disposed on the at least one cylinder, and is located between the first casing part and the second casing part. A first buffer space is formed between the base and the bottom plate.

Abstract: A medium-discharging device includes: a discharging section that discharges a medium; a stacker that is configured to stack the medium on a mounting surface and, in a closed state, has the mounting surface facing the housing section; and a first stopper and a second stopper that are configured to switch between a regulating state in which the stopper is in contact with a leading end of the medium and a stored state in which the stopper is stored in the stacker, in which the second stopper is provided at a position which is between the discharging section and the first stopper and at which the second stopper faces the recess when the stacker is in the closed state, and at least a portion of the second stopper enters the recess when the second stopper is in the stored state and when the stacker is in the closed state.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a document placing tray on which a document is placed; a document discharging tray on which a document discharged from a document discharging port in a discharging direction is stacked; and a light source that radiates light to the document discharging tray. The document discharging tray is disposed below the document placing tray. The document discharging tray has a protruding portion protruding upward from the surrounding area. The light source is disposed within a region having a width that is the same as a document having a maximum size in the width direction.

Abstract: A method for generating a 3D image includes driving structured light projector(s) to project a pattern of light on an intraoral 3D surface, and driving camera(s) to capture images, each image including at least a portion of the projected pattern, each one of the camera(s) comprising an array of pixels. A processor compares a series of images captured by each camera and determines which of the portions of the projected pattern can be tracked across the images. The processor constructs a three-dimensional model of the intraoral three-dimensional surface based at least in part on the comparison of the series of images. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an annular transfer belt having an outer surface on which an image is transferred; a nip portion that forms a nip region for nipping a recording medium with an outer surface of the transfer belt; a facing portion that faces the nip region from an inner side of the transfer belt and transfers the image from the transfer belt to the recording medium in the nip region by charging the transfer belt; and a transport unit including a holding portion that holds the recording medium, transports the recording medium by moving the holding portion, and causes the recording medium together with the holding portion to pass the nip region while holding the recording medium at the holding portion.

Abstract: An image reader includes a curvature forming unit that contacts a medium upstream of a nip position between a feeding roller and a separating roller, and forms a curvature of the medium in a width direction that intersects a feeding direction. The curvature forming unit is capable of switching between a first state in which a curvature is formed in a medium and a second state positioned in a direction that is retracted from a feeding path of the medium compared to the first state. The curvature forming unit is associated with posture switching of the device body, and is brought to the second state when the device body takes a first device posture, and is brought to the first state when the device body takes the second device posture.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a main body part and an openable part. On an upper surface of the main body part, a first reading surface, a second reading surface and a first guide part arranged between the two reading surfaces are provided. When a direction parallel to a direction in which an original passes over the second reading surface is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the second reading surface and orthogonal to the first direction is defined as a second direction, on the upper surface, a positioning convex part having a curved surface curved downward when viewed in the second direction is provided on an extended line of the first guide part. On a lower surface of the openable part, a positioning concave part having two inclined surfaces respectively contacting the curved surface when viewed in the second direction is provided.

Abstract: A control method for a multifunction machine includes detecting placement of a document on a document tray, displaying an object in accordance with document placement detection, storing information indicating the thickness of the document set using the object, conveying the document based on the information, and scanning the conveyed document. The object is displayed in accordance with document placement detection while a function selection screen is displayed, the information is received from a user through the object, and the document is conveyed based on the information in a case where execution of the copy function is commanded through a copy screen displayed after selection of the copy function. Even when a user places a document while a function selection screen is displayed, the thickness of the document can be set with certainty, and the document is scanned based on the set thickness.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to read an image of an original, the image reading apparatus includes an original tray on which the original is to be placed; a pickup roller configured to feed the original placed on the original tray to a conveyance path; a first conveyance roller configured to convey the original which is fed to the conveyance path by the pickup roller; a second conveyance roller, which is located downstream of the first conveyance roller in a conveying direction in which the original is conveyed, configured to convey the original which is conveyed by the first conveyance roller; and a reading unit configured to read, at a reading position, an image of the original being conveyed by the first conveyance roller, the reading position being a position located downstream of the second conveyance roller in the conveying direction.

Abstract: An example scanner device includes a sealed enclosure including a scan window to allow light to enter the sealed enclosure, and an optical assembly including a light source and an image sensor. The light source is to emit light through the scan window onto a medium to be scanned. The image sensor is to capture light reflected by the medium through the scan window. The optical assembly is rotatably positioned within the sealed enclosure. An actuator is disposed within the sealed enclosure to rotate the optical assembly to aim the optical assembly at different locations on the scan window.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a document insertion port which allows documents to be inserted thereinto in a state of being arranged in a main scanning direction; a conveyor which conveys the documents inserted into the document insertion port in a predetermined conveyance direction; a scanner which reads images of the documents conveyed by the conveyor; a detector which detects whether at least one of the documents is present in the document insertion port; and a controller which counts a conveyance amount by which the documents are conveyed by the conveyor during a period in which the detector continuously detects that the at least one of the documents is present in the document insertion part. In a case that the images read by the scanner include a set of images croppable as an image of a single document included in the documents, the controller corrects the conveyance amount.

Abstract: An image reader includes: a document transport path through which a document to be read is transported; a transport roller that is provided on a lower side in the document transport path and is driven to apply a feed force to the document. The lower side of the document transport path upstream from the transport roller is at a position that is lower than a highest position of an outer circumferential surface of the transport roller and is formed on a lower guide surface guiding the document to the transport roller. A guiding unit is provided downstream from the lower guide surface and guides the document from the lower guide surface to a position on the outer circumferential surface of the transport roller, the position being higher than the lower guide surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a discharge unit, a double-sided conveyance path, a sheet plate, a skew correction unit, and a frame. The discharge unit discharges a sheet having an image from the image forming unit. The double-sided conveyance path conveys the sheet again to the image forming unit. The sheet plate restricts a position of an end, in a sheet width direction, of the sheet. The skew correction unit obliquely conveys the sheet to abut the sheet end. The frame determines a position of the sheet plate and includes a first positioning portion to position a sheet plate first positioned portion and a second positioning portion to position a sheet plate second positioned portion with the skew correction unit between the first and second positioned portion. The first positioning portion faces the first positioned portion and the second positioning portion faces the second positioned portion.

Abstract: An image reading device includes an image reader that scans a document so as to read an image of the document. The image reader includes a scanning body in which at least plural mirrors, a condenser lens, and an image sensor are disposed. In the scanning body, concerning positional relationships among the plural mirrors as viewed from a main scanning direction, the plural mirrors are disposed on two sides with respect to an imaginary line extending along an optical axis of reflected light from the document. The mirrors on a corresponding one of the two sides are disposed such that a reflecting position of a mirror on a downstream side in a traveling direction of the reflected light is positioned closer to the document and also to the imaginary line than that of a mirror on an upstream side in the traveling direction of the reflected light.

Abstract: A method for detecting electrostatic discharge (ESD) events in an imaging device includes scanning a target placed in a scanner to create a scanned image of the target. The scanned image has a plurality of scan lines with each scan line having a number of pixels or samples. For each of the plurality of scan lines, a determination is whether or not the number of pixels or samples of the scan line matches a respective predetermined number of pixels or samples, the predetermined number of pixels or samples being based upon a resolution setting of the scanner. Upon determining that the number of pixels or samples of the scan line does not match the predetermined number of pixels or samples, a count value is incremented. The count value is used as a healthcheck data to indicate at least one ESD event has occurred in the imaging device.

Abstract: In an ejection controller for an injection molding machine, an image of an ejection process for a molded article is captured, a point in time when the molded article starts to drop from a mold is obtained as a drop start time point, an ejection stop time point is set based on the obtained drop start time point, and an ejection operation of an ejection device is interrupted at the set time point. Thus, the ejection is interrupted in a predetermined position, so that an operator can manually remove the molded article.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image former; a reader that executes reading a document or a sheet; a post processor that applies post processing to the document or the sheet; and a controller. The controller controls the image formation, the reading and the post processing, judges the requested degree of importance of reading for a reading target on the document or the sheet, judges existence or nonexistence of an overlap between an execution timing of the reading and a timing of generation of vibration at the post processing, judges the necessity of a countermeasure to prevent the overlap from occurring with reference to the degree of importance of reading and the existence or nonexistence of the overlap, and controls the execution timing of the reading and the post processing to prevent the overlap from occurring when the controller determines that the countermeasure is necessary.

Abstract: The location of a user's head, for purposes such as head tracking or motion input, can be determined using a two-step process. In a first step, at least one image is captured including a representation of at least a portion of the person, such as a head portion of the person. In a second step, a contour of the head portion can be determined, and a two-dimensional model, for example, an ellipse or other similar shape can be used to approximate the head portion of the person represented in the image. The ellipse, for example, can be modeled using a number of shapes, such as rectangles, and the portion of the person can be tracked by locating an ellipse that bounds a maximum intensity gradient of pixel values in each one of a series of images.

Abstract: A conveyance path forming body includes: a first surface that is disposed on an opposite side of a sheet to a processing unit disposed on a side of one surface of the sheet being conveyed along a conveyance path to perform processing on the one surface; and a second surface that is disposed at a downstream of the first surface in a conveying direction of the sheet so as to be more distant from the processing unit than a hypothetical extension surface of the first surface.

Abstract: An image scanner includes a stationary original plate on which a stationary original is placed and a moving original plate, over which a moving original is conveyed, aligned with the stationary original plate in a sub-scanning direction and tilted relative to the stationary original plate by a given angle. A reader is movable in the sub-scanning direction between a stationary original reading span disposed opposite the stationary original via the stationary original plate to read an image on the stationary original and a moving original reading position disposed opposite the moving original via the moving original plate to read an image on the moving original. The reader pressingly contacts the stationary original plate and the moving original plate as the reader moves in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A light guide includes a plurality of boss portions. A round hole portion is provided near the center of a base member for fixing the light guide, and slit portions are provided on both ends thereof. The round hole portion supports one boss portion in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the light guide. The slit portions support boss portions in the lateral direction of the light guide, but are free in the longitudinal direction of the light guide. That is, the center of the light guide is fixed from both directions, and thus both ends of the light guides can expand away in the longitudinal direction. This cuts the influence of expansion by half.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an image on a document, a document conveyance unit that conveys the document to the reading unit, a first identification unit that identifies a size of the document before the document begins to be conveyed, a reading control unit that controls the reading unit to read the document, based on the size identified by the first identification unit, and a second identification unit that identifies a size of the document after the document begins to be conveyed, wherein the reading control unit performs control to, in a case where the size identified by the first identification unit is smaller than the size identified by the second identification unit, cancel reading processing, and in a case where the size identified by the first identification unit is greater than the size identified by the second identification unit, continue the reading processing.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a feeding mechanism that individually feeds documents, a conveying mechanism that conveys the document fed by the feeding mechanism so that the document passes a reading position, a reading unit that reads the document at the reading position, and a control unit that controls the feeding mechanism and the conveying mechanism. When the control unit causes the feeding mechanism and the conveying mechanism to feed and convey a plurality of documents at constant intervals, the control unit causes the feeding mechanism to stop feeding after a trailing edge of a preceding document passes the reading position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a conveyor for conveying a sheet along a predetermined conveyance path and a feeder unit for supporting the sheet to be fed to the conveyor. The conveyor includes a first guide part for guiding the sheet toward a downstream side in the conveying direction in a direction inclined at a downward gradient, a second guide part for guiding the sheet from the first guide part toward a further downstream side in a direction inclined at an upward gradient, a suction roller arranged at the first guide part for conveying the sheet supported by the feeder unit toward the downstream side, and a first conveyance roller arranged at the second guide part and for conveying the sheet conveyed by the suction roller toward the downstream side one at a time.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for detecting boundaries of documents on flatbed and multi-function scanners on a first pass of a carriage assembly, and then performing a high resolution scan on a second pass. High resolution images of documents can then be obtained with little or no interaction normally necessary to identify areas of interest on the scanner bed. Patterns on the scanner cover or lid facilitate not only edge determination, but orientation of text and other objects, and straightening of images in preparation for OCR and related functions. Electronic images and files derived from paper documents may be automatically cropped, deskewed, subjected to OCR, and named consistent with content or other information derived from them.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including a main unit including a placement plane and an image reader, a document cover swingably supported by the main unit via a hinge to move between a closed position and an open position, and a conveyer unit to convey a document sheet, is provided. The hinge includes an in-main-unit joint section attached to an end of the main unit, an on-cover joint section attached to an end of the document cover, and an urging member arranged in between the in-main-unit joint section and the on-cover joint section. A coupling device to couple the end of the document cover and the end of the main unit together and to restrict the end of the document cover and the end of the main unit from being separated from each other is disposed in an intermediate position between the document cover and the conveyer unit.

Abstract: Depending on a sheet used in printing, in some cases, a user desires to perform printing without an effect of an abnormal pixel, and in other cases, the user desires prompt execution of the reading of a document. Therefore, a method includes determining whether image data includes an abnormal pixel, the image data being generated by a reading unit performing reading with no document placed at a reading position, and performing control so that the determining is performed in a case where a sheet on which an image is to be printed by a printing unit is a sheet that is to be subjected to the determining, and performing control so that the determining is not performed in a case where the sheet on which the image is to be printed by the printing unit is a sheet that is not to be subjected to the determining.

Abstract: A sheet ejector is provided that includes an ejection roller unit including a first roller and a second roller, a pushing member that rotates concentrically with the first roller and includes a projection formed on a circumferential surface thereof, the projection contacting a trailing end of a sheet to be ejected and pushing out the sheet in an ejecting direction, and a contact member including a contact portion disposed, in a view along a rotational-axis direction of the first roller, in such a position as to overlap or be downstream relative to a most downstream position of a rotational trajectory of the pushing member in the ejecting direction, the contact portion configured to extend up to a position closer to the second roller than the rotational axis of the first roller and contact the trailing end of the sheet ejected from the ejection roller unit.

Abstract: A light guide includes a plurality of boss portions. A round hole portion is provided near the center of a base member for fixing the light guide, and slit portions are provided on both ends thereof. The round hole portion supports one boss portion in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the light guide. The slit portions support boss portions in the lateral direction of the light guide, but are free in the longitudinal direction of the light guide. That is, the center of the light guide is fixed from both directions, and thus both ends of the light guides can expand away in the longitudinal direction. This cuts the influence of expansion by half.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for detecting boundaries of documents on flatbed and multi-function scanners on a first pass of a carriage assembly, and then performing a high resolution scan on a second pass. High resolution images of documents can then be obtained with little or no interaction normally necessary to identify areas of interest on the scanner bed. Patterns on the scanner cover or lid facilitate not only edge determination, but orientation of text and other objects, and straightening of images in preparation for OCR and related functions. Electronic images and files derived from paper documents may be automatically cropped, deskewed, subjected to OCR, and named consistent with content or other information derived from them.

Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus includes a scan case including a platen glass, a first scanning module disposed inside the scan case, a scanning module moving unit that is disposed inside the scan case perpendicular to the first scanning module and guides a movement of the first scanning module, and an automatic document feeding apparatus disposed on a top side of the scan case to cover the platen glass including a feeding frame in which a document moving route is formed, a scanning module opening formed on an upper side of the document moving route in the feeding frame, a second scanning module disposed in the scanning module opening, and a scanning module adjusting unit formed to rotate the second scanning module by a predetermined angle based on a point of the feeding frame with respect to the scanning module opening.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism includes a sheet feeding roller configured to feed an uppermost recording medium from stacked recording mediums, an inclined portion located at a downstream position of the sheet feeding roller in a conveyance direction of the recording medium and having a surface inclined with respect to the conveyance direction, and a restriction member configured not to contact the recording medium before the sheet feeding roller feeds the recording medium, and configured to contact the recording medium in a state where the recording medium is fed by the sheet feeding roller and conveyed along the inclined portion.

Abstract: A reading device includes an original glass plate, a scanner, a support portion, a towing portion, a guide portion, and an engagement portion. The towing portion is configured to tow and move the support portion in a predetermined direction. The guide portion is configured to guide a direction of movement of the support portion and the scanner caused by the towing of the towing portion. A center of mass of the scanner and the support portion is positioned at a midpoint between contact portions provided at both ends of the scanner and coming into contact with the original glass plate. The guide portion is disposed under the center of mass of the scanner and support portion. The towing portion is secured to the support portion or the engagement portion at a point on a vertical line passing through the center of mass of the scanner and support portion.

Abstract: In an image reading device, an interlock portion is configured to supply or cut off power supply voltage to a driving portion in association with opening/closing of a cover. An open/close detecting portion is configured to detect opening/closing of the cover. A control portion is configured to execute (a) a scan process of causing a reading portion to read a document image during movement of the reading portion from a first position to a second position, (b) a return process of returning the reading portion to the first position in the opposite direction, (c) a reading interruption process of stopping a scan process when an opened state of the cover is detected during the scan process, and executing a return process when a closed state of the cover is detected next time, and (d) the scan process again after the reading interruption process.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including a driving unit, a separator unit, a conveyer unit, a reader unit, a reducer unit, a size detecting unit; and a controller is provided. The separator unit includes a drive shaft, a contact member, and a clutch. The controller manipulates the conveyer unit via the driving unit to convey the sheet at a first conveying speed when the size of the sheet detected by the size detecting unit is greater than a predetermined size. The controller manipulates the conveyer unit via the driving unit to convey the sheet at a second conveying speed, which is lower than the first conveying speed, when the size of the sheet detected by the size detecting unit is one of smaller than and equivalent to the predetermined size.

Abstract: A document scanner (10) includes an input tray (20) for holding documents (11). An input image capture device (30) captures at least a portion of the images of documents in the input tray. An image processor (65) determines characteristics of documents in the input tray, and the documents are processed based on the characteristics. At least one characteristic is document length (70), or width (80), or position (170), or other characteristics. An ultrasonic zone (160) detects the documents; and the ultrasonic zones are enabled or disabled in at least one location down the document based on at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A feeder feeds a first recording medium in a first direction. A curved guide guides the first recording medium fed by the feeder upward along a first path. An upper guide receives a leading edge of the first recording medium, guided by the curved guide, and guides the first recording medium in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. An insertion guide guides, along a second path, a second recording medium inserted from an opening. A conveying unit disposed downstream of the upper guide in the second direction conveys the first recording medium and the second recording medium to a recording unit which records an image on each recording medium supported by a supporting unit. A deflecting member has a surface inclined with respect to the second direction and deflects a leading edge of the second recording medium, guided by the insertion guide, upward toward the upper guide.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a feeding portion which feeds an original one by one and passes the original through a reading position; a reading portion which reads an image of the original conveyed at the reading position; a transparent member which is disposed between the original conveyed at the reading position and the reading portion; a cleaning member including a brush which cleans the transparent member, and a shaft member which fixes the brush; and a controller which determines a home position of the cleaning member based on image information acquired from the reading portion when the cleaning member is rotated.

Abstract: In a sheet conveying device, a first sensing portion is configured to output a first sense signal when a sheet is absent at a first sensing position determined in advance on a sheet placement portion, and output a second sense signal when the sheet is present at the first sensing position. A second sensing portion is configured to output the second sense signal when the sheet is absent at a second sensing position separated from the first sensing position in a width direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the sheet, and output the first sense signal when the sheet is present at the second sensing position. A sensing control portion is configured to sense a plurality of states in accordance with a combination of the first sense signal and the second sense signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method for reading an image of a document and preventing an image from being printed on the document if a sheet type of the document is not suitable for printing. The method includes reading an image of a conveyed document, detecting a sheet type of the conveyed document, and controlling, in a case where the detected sheet type is the predetermined sheet type, an image to be printed on the conveyed document, and controlling, in a case where the detected sheet type is not a predetermined sheet type, an image not to be printed on the conveyed document.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device including: a separating roller; a separating piece; and conveying rollers. The separating roller conveys each sheet along a predetermined conveying path in a conveyance direction. The separating piece provides a first nip position in cooperation with the outer peripheral surface of the separating roller for nipping a sheet or sheets therebetween. The conveying rollers are provided at positions downstream of the separating roller in the conveyance direction and provide a second nip position where the sheet is nipped therebetween for conveying the sheet conveyed by the separating roller in the conveyance direction. An imaginary flat plane is defined by connecting the first nip position and the second nip position. The separating piece has a portion positioned downstream of the first nip position and protruding toward the separating roller beyond the imaginary flat plane.