PURPOSE: To prevent damage to the top edge of paper by installing a guide means in such a manner that the top edge of paper is first brought into contact with a pinch roller and forming a pinch roller as a low-friction member.

CONSTITUTION: An upper roller is an ordinary rubber roller serving as a driving roller 11, while a lower roller, made of polyacetal resin, etc., serves as a pinch roller 12. The surface of the pinch roller 12 is smoothed to reduce its sliding frictional resistance. Also, a guide member 5, made from resin film, is provided under an upper guide plate. As paper is conveyed over a paper conveying path, its top edge is guided toward the pinch roller 12 by means of the guide member 5. The paper then slides with its top edge first brought into contact with the pinch roller 12, and is guided to a nip portion between the rollers as the pinch roller 12 rotates.