a sheet - feed mechanism for feeding paper or the like from a stack of paper sheets in a tray in which the sheets have a soft or pressure - sensitive coating , includes a sheet - engaging apparatus which distributes the load over a substantial area of the sheet , in order to control the pressure on the sheet . simultaneously , the apparatus is moved in a direction to cause buckling of the exposed or first sheet , for separation from the stack and subsequent removal . two embodiments are disclosed . one embodiment employs a pair of feed wheels and another embodiment employs a sheet - engaging flat pad . the wide feed wheels or the pad are caused to be moved , following engagement with the exposed sheet , in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the sheet , for causing the separation of the sheet . in this manner , the loading imprint is not confined to a specific area , with respect to the underlying sheets , thereby preventing pressure marking or scuffing of the sheet immediately under the first sheet removed by the feed mechanism .