PURPOSE: To improve sheet separating function by bringing the roller surface of an upper separator into surface contact with the surface of a circular concave portion of a lower separator.

CONSTITUTION: When a sheet feed roller 2 is roated in direction of an arrow B, the leading edges of plural sheets 16 transferred in direction of an arrow X reach a position F of a circular concave portion EF where the roller surface of an upper separator 3 is brought into surface contact with a lower separator 20. As the upper separator 3 is rotated in direction of the arrow B, the uppermost sheet 16 of the plural sheets 16 is passed in direction of the arrow X between the upper separator 3 and the lower separator 20, and the second and following sheets 16 of the plural sheets 16 are stopped at the position F where the roller surface of the upper separator 3 is brought into surface contact with the circular concave portion EF of the lower separator 20. Thus, the uppermost sheet 16 is separated from the second and following sheets 16.