Driving a retard feeder in reverse prior to sheet feeding

In known fully active retard feeders initial feeding may be poor due to contamination build-up and/or roll "set" when left in position overnight and this may lead to skipped pitches and/or misfeeds during initial feeding. To address this a method for improving the performance in fully active retard feeders includes driving a feed or separation roll 52 and retard roll 53 pair of a sheet feeder backwards prior to feeding sheets S1, S2. The rolls 52, 53 may be driven in a reverse feed direction periodically during idle periods and as part of a warm-up cycle. The reverse driving may increase the temperature of the rolls 52, 53, thereby increasing their coefficient of friction. The reverse driving may also clean surface debris from the rolls 52, 53 and/or allow flat spots on the rolls 52, 53 to relax. The rolls 52, 53 may be driven counterclockwise during reverse feeding. The sheet feeder may form part of reprographic apparatus or a xerographic device.