An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position.

An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position.

A separation roller for a sheet feeding apparatus includes an outer circumferential portion formed from an elastic material, a core portion to which the outer circumferential portion is attached; and a flange portion including a plurality of projecting portions each projecting to an outside in a radial direction with respect to the core portion. At least one of the plurality of projecting portions includes a first surface provided on a side portion thereof on an upstream side in a first direction in which the separation roller rotates in such a manner as to follow the rotary feeding member rotating to feed the sheet. The first surface extends more upstream in the first direction at a position further on an outside in a radial direction with respect to a rotation axis of the separation roller as viewed in the axial direction.

A separation roller for a sheet feeding apparatus includes an outer circumferential portion formed from an elastic material, a core portion to which the outer circumferential portion is attached; and a flange portion including a plurality of projecting portions each projecting to an outside in a radial direction with respect to the core portion. At least one of the plurality of projecting portions includes a first surface provided on a side portion thereof on an upstream side in a first direction in which the separation roller rotates in such a manner as to follow the rotary feeding member rotating to feed the sheet. The first surface extends more upstream in the first direction at a position further on an outside in a radial direction with respect to a rotation axis of the separation roller as viewed in the axial direction.

A discharge unit includes a first discharge guide which guides the sheet conveyed by the conveyance guide, a second discharge guide which includes the discharge opening, and guides the sheet guided by the first discharge guide toward the discharge tray, and a discharge roller and a discharge pinch roller which are provided in the second discharge guide. The first discharge guide is rotatable around a first axis which is parallel with an axial direction of the discharge roller. The second discharge guide is connected to the first discharge guide to be rotatable around a second axis which is parallel with the first axis. An angle at which the second discharge guide is inclined with respect to a sheet supporting surface in the discharge tray is constant while the discharge unit is moving from the third position up to the fourth position.

A discharge unit includes a first discharge guide which guides the sheet conveyed by the conveyance guide, a second discharge guide which includes the discharge opening, and guides the sheet guided by the first discharge guide toward the discharge tray, and a discharge roller and a discharge pinch roller which are provided in the second discharge guide. The first discharge guide is rotatable around a first axis which is parallel with an axial direction of the discharge roller. The second discharge guide is connected to the first discharge guide to be rotatable around a second axis which is parallel with the first axis. An angle at which the second discharge guide is inclined with respect to a sheet supporting surface in the discharge tray is constant while the discharge unit is moving from the third position up to the fourth position.

A sheet separating device includes a sheet separator that includes plural separating portions which have a planar shape and which are stacked one on top of another. The sheet separator has openings provided between the plural separating portions at both ends of the plural separating portions in a sheet passing direction. The sheet separator allows gaps between the plural separating portions facing one another to receive one of plural sheets apiece so as to cause the plural sheets to be kept separated from one another. The sheet separating device is held on a placement portion of a sheet processing apparatus that includes a sheet processing unit and the placement portion. The sheet processing unit sequentially feeds thereinto the plural sheets through a feeding opening and performs processing on the plural sheets. The plural sheets to be fed through the feeding opening are placed on the placement portion.

A sheet separating device includes a sheet separator that includes plural separating portions which have a planar shape and which are stacked one on top of another. The sheet separator has openings provided between the plural separating portions at both ends of the plural separating portions in a sheet passing direction. The sheet separator allows gaps between the plural separating portions facing one another to receive one of plural sheets apiece so as to cause the plural sheets to be kept separated from one another. The sheet separating device is held on a placement portion of a sheet processing apparatus that includes a sheet processing unit and the placement portion. The sheet processing unit sequentially feeds thereinto the plural sheets through a feeding opening and performs processing on the plural sheets. The plural sheets to be fed through the feeding opening are placed on the placement portion.

A sheet feeding device includes a stacking unit for stacking a sheet; a feeding member for feeding the sheet stack on the stacking unit; a holding member holding the feeding member; a holder supporting portion, provided above the stacking unit, for detachably supporting the holding member; a raising and lowering unit for raising and lowering the holding member; a detection unit for detecting a topmost surface of the sheet stacked on the stacking unit, by detecting the holding member; a control unit for effecting raising and lowering operation of the holding member using the raising and lowering unit before a feeding operation of the feeding member and detect presence or absence of the holding member on the basis of a signal from the detection unit produced with the raising and lowering operation.

A sheet feeding device includes a stacking unit for stacking a sheet; a feeding member for feeding the sheet stack on the stacking unit; a holding member holding the feeding member; a holder supporting portion, provided above the stacking unit, for detachably supporting the holding member; a raising and lowering unit for raising and lowering the holding member; a detection unit for detecting a topmost surface of the sheet stacked on the stacking unit, by detecting the holding member; a control unit for effecting raising and lowering operation of the holding member using the raising and lowering unit before a feeding operation of the feeding member and detect presence or absence of the holding member on the basis of a signal from the detection unit produced with the raising and lowering operation.