Paper feeding device having paper hand feed path

A paper feeding device used in an image forming apparatus for feeding a sheet of paper into a main body of the image forming apparatus in response to a print request sent from the main body, said device comprising:

• a paper hand feed path onto which a sheet of paper is to be supplied by an operator;
• an automatic paper feed path onto which a sheet of paper is to be supplied automatically;
• a first roller couple disposed at said paper hand feed path for feeding a sheet of paper to the main body, said first roller couple including an upper roller and a lower roller;
• a drive section for driving said first roller couple;
• a paper feed detection switch disposed downstream of a junction of said paper hand feed path and said automatic paper feed path and in front of said first roller couple for detecting a sheet of paper supplied into said paper hand feed path and generating a detection signal upon detection of a sheet of paper;
• a controller connected to receive said detection signal for controlling in response to said detection signal said drive section such that said first roller couple feeds a supplied sheet of paper by inserting a leading edge thereof into said first roller couple to set said leading edge between said upper and lower rollers and said supplied sheet of paper is kept where it is until receiving the print request;
• and
• a second roller couple to be driven by said drive section disposed at said automatic paper feed path;
• said controller controlling said drive section in response to the print request such that said first and second roller couples feed a sheet of paper from a paper tray to the main body in the absence of a sheet of paper in said paper hand feed path.