Abstract: In second transport means (12), nipping pressure of each of outermost star wheels (6a), (6e) located at opposite ends in the primary scanning direction is set higher than that of each of star wheels (6b) to (6d) within a range lower than nipping pressure of first transport means. If a leading edge of a recording medium (1) is in a downwardly deformed state when reaching the second transport means (12), such deformation acts to press the wheels (6a) to (6e) upwardly. However, the nipping pressure of each of the opposite end star wheels (6a), (6e) nipping angular portions of the medium (1) on the leading edge side is set high enough to rectify such deformation at the angular portions. Accordingly, the medium (1) is nipped between a second driving roller (5) and the wheels (6a) to (6e) with its deformed angular portions rectified, and hence is transported in an ideal condition.

Abstract: Before stopper members (25) of a skew correcting mechanism (10) are evacuated from a sheet conveyor path, sheet conveyor roller pairs (8) rotate a set angle in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction such that a sheet is separated from the stopper members (25). The sheet conveyor roller pairs (8) are arranged so that at least one of the rollers of each pair is independently pressed against the other with a force corresponding to the type of the sheet.