Image reading device with movable sheet guide

Abstract

An image reading device capable of reading images on the both surfaces of a document in order while moving the document at a prescribed speed includes a platen for reading the document moving at the prescribed speed, a reversible transferring device for moving the document at the prescribed speed along the platen, and a circulating passage for turning the document and sending back to the platen after reading the image on the obverse surface of the document. The circulating passage is composed of at least first and second turning paths for inverting a direction in which the document is transferred to turn the document upside down, so that the images on the obverse and reverse surfaces of the document can be continuously read with a compact mechanism and starting to scan from the same end of the document whenever the document is read.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.