Sheet feeding device

A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a sheet from a stack thereof comprising:

• means for feeding a sheet from said stack in an upwardly direction, said feeding means being arranged for movement between a first feeding position wherein it engages a first portion of said stack and is adapted to feed a sheet from said stack, and a second position spaced from said stack;
• means for supporting said stack of sheets, in a generally vertical orientation so that said feeding means can feed said sheet from said stack in said upwardly direction;
• said support means including means for fanning out said first portion of said stack;
• said fanning out means including a first means arranged for movement between first and second support positions, said first means being operable in its first position to supportingly engage said first portion of said stack against a contact force of said feeding means, and said first means in its second position being disengaged from said stack to allow said stack to fan out;
• said support means further including means for restraining a second portion of said stack different from said first portion, said restraining means being operable when said first means is in its first or second positions, said first portion of said stack being arranged upwardly of said second portion thereof;
• whereby when said feeding means is in its second position and said first means is in its second position, said stack is fanned out to allow air to easily enter between the sheets.