Document feeder and image reading apparatus

A document feeder apparatus for sequentially transporting an original to a predetermined reading position and discharging the original read at the reading position, comprising:

• stacking means for stacking the original,
• a supply path for guiding the original on the stacking means toward the reading position,
• a transport path connected to the supply path for guiding the original to the reading position,
• storage means disposed under the stacking means for storing the original read at the reading position,
• a discharge path for guiding the original read at the reading position to the storage means,
• a first switchback path having a portion disposed in a space between the stacking means and the storage means stacked with each other,
• a first inverting discharge path connected to the first switchback path for turning over a front side to a back side of the original from the first switchback path,
• a second switchback path arranged under the storage means,
• a second inverting discharge path connected to the second switchback path and formed separately from the discharge path, said inverse path turning over a front side to a back side of the original introduced into the second switchback path and leading the original to the storage means,
• recognition means for recognizing a length of the original guided to the reading position,
• selecting means for selecting one of the first and the second switchback paths according to the length of the original recognized by the recognition means, and
• guiding means for guiding the original to one of the first and the second switchback paths selected by the selecting means.

An image reading apparatus provided with a document feeder apparatus that supplies an original to a platen for reading the original and discharges the original read on the platen, comprising:

• stacking means for stacking the original,
• supply means for guiding the original on the stacking means toward a reading position,
• transport means for guiding the original to the platen,
• storage means for storing the original read on the platen,
• discharge means for guiding the original read on the platen to the storage means,
• a plurality of switchback means disposed in a space between the platen and the stacking means, each of the plurality of the switchback means reversing front-rear sides of a transport direction of the original read at the reading position and transferring the original,
• reading means disposed under the platen for reading the original supplied to the platen,
• recognition means for recognizing a length of the original transported to the platen,
• selection means for selecting one of the plurality of the switchback means according to the length of the original recognized by the recognition means, and
• guide means for guiding the original read at the reading position to one of the plurality of the switchback means selected by the selection means.