Abstract: A sorter for stapling is provided with an arrangement of a plurality of sorting bins and a paper guide means which discharges the papers to predetermined bins. A stapling means is provided to move to the positions corresponding to the predetermined bins. The stapling means moves to a position corresponding to a bin in which are held the papers to be stapled among the predetermined bins, and effects the stapling process under the condition where the papers are held in said bin. The stapling number setting means sets the number of bins in which are held the papers that are to be stapled. A control means is provided which, after the papers are discharged to the predetermined bins by the paper guide means, causes the stapling means to effect the stapling process for only those papers that are held in the bins of a number corresponding to the number of said bins.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeder for a copying machine etc. for correctly resuming a continuous copying operation after power to the sheet feeder (as well as the copying machine) is stopped by an emergency (safety) power stop. The copying machine has a state memory in which the state of the automatic sheet feeder (whether it is operating or not operating) at the time of a power stoppage to the automatic sheet feeder is stored. When the supply of power to the automatic sheet feeder begins, the state data is sent from the copying machine to the automatic short feeder. When the state data from the copying machine indicates that the sheet feeder was not operating, the automatic sheet feeder performs a preset initializing process in which the feeding rollers are rotated to eject the original sheet on the contact glass plate of the copying machine.

Abstract: A multiple sorter includes several sorter units disposed in series at a paper discharge outlet of an image forming apparatus. Each of the sorter units includes a paper distributing mechanism for distributing paper to several sort bins, and a first path change-over mechanism for changing over the connection of a paper lead-in path to either a paper feeding path to the paper distributing mechanism or a paper discharging path to a non-sort bin. The sorter also includes several bypass carrying paths, each provided across the paper discharging path of each of the sorter units and the paper lead-in path of another one of the sorter units which is adjacent to the one sorter unit in a serially connecting direction of the sorter units. The non-sort bin is provided on an upper portion of the bypass carrying path of each one of the sorter units so that the non-sort bin serves another one of the sorter units upstream of the one sorter unit.