A paper feed roller (5) is divided into a first roller (5a) and a second roller (5b), and a slit (58) allowing the passage of about 10 to about 20 sheets of paper is defined between the first roller and a gate plate (57) opposing the first roller, so that a sheet of paper fed out via this slit can be supplied between the second roller (5b) and a separation pad (7) in contact with the second roller. A biassing force of a spring for transferring paper is converted by a slide cam sliding in a direction parallel to the paper feed roller, and a paper width detection sensor is assembled in a snap-in structure.