Abstract: A duplex document handler includes a supply tray on one side of a stationary exposure position, a simplex exit tray on the opposite side of the exposure position from the supply tray and a duplex exit tray above the supply tray. A turnover drum receives sheets from the supply tray and guides them past an exposure station and to the simplex exit tray or past the exposure station and through an inverting path to a reversing location, back to the exposure station and then back through the reversing location to the duplex exit tray.

Abstract: An improved dual mode document handler for a copier, in which documents may be either loaded into a document stacking tray overlying the copier imaging station platen and recirculatively fed thereto for pre-collation (RDH) copying, or, alternatively, fed into a semi-automatic document handling (SADH) path slot adjacent thereto on top of the document handler, conveniently face up and feeding downwardly therein for gravity assistance in loading documents into the slot. This SADH input path non-interferingly crosses over (intersects) the document restacking return path to the tray of RDH path.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an attachment for a scanner apparatus which electrically scans the markings on the upper face of test score sheets. The attachment stacks score sheets in either a main hopper or a reject hopper with the sheets being stacked in either hopper in the sequence in which the sheets were scanned. Thus, the first sheet after having its upper face scanned is inverted and placed on the bottom of a hopper with the face surface directed downwardly. Each subsequent test score sheet is inverted and placed on the prior score sheet. When removed from either hopper, a stack of sheets can be inverted as an entirety, thereby establishing the faces of the score sheets in their original order. The stack can then be conveniently run back through the scanner or other apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a mechanism for discharging the sheet which has been image-processed. The sheet supplying station accommodating a cassette or the like and the image forming station containing a photosensitive member or the like are substantially vertically aligned. The apparatus comprises a sheet reversing and discharging mechanism for inverting the face orientation of the sheet and then discharging it. The sheet reversing and discharging mechanism has a sheet switch-back passage which is disposed between the sheet supplying station and the image forming station, the sheet switch-back passage extending substantially horizontally. Additionally, the apparatus includes a device for selectively shifting the discharged sheets so as to form groups of sheets, without disturbing already-formed groups.

Abstract: When forming an image on both sides of set number of sheets of paper, excess paper which remains in an intermediate tray caused by an overlapped feeding of the paper is guided into a bin which has not been in use for the image forming of the above set number of sheet. Further, when some sheets of the paper discharged from the intermediate tray are transferred in an overlapped condition and the paper in the intermediate tray becomes insufficient, the image forming operation corresponding to the insufficient number of sheet of the paper is discontinued, and the sorting operation for the next original starts from a sort bin skipping over some sort bins which should have received the uncopied paper because of overlapped feeding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a document feeding device which operates in such manner that documents loaded are carried forward in order of the lowermost one and upward and each document, after having been scanned, is discharged with its scanned surface up onto the uppermost one of the loaded documents, and therefore, it can be employed not only as an automatic document feeder, but also as a recirculating document handler which enables arrangement of copies in paging order.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for printing images on halves of both sides of a group of receiving sheets by passing each sheet seriatim four times directly in succession through a printing station thereby printing the four halves of the sheet. The sheets thus printed are together folded double to form a book in which the sequence of the images corresponds to the sequence of the original images.

Abstract: A perfecting printer comprises a feeding roller for successively feeding cutforms accommodated in a feed stacker onto a transfer path provided with pairs of reversible transfer rollers. Each cutform is first transferred forward past a printing unit without printing. The cutform is then transferred rearward and printed on its front face. The one-face printed cutform is then guided into a return path which joins the transfer path at a position before the printing unit. Upon passage through the return path, the cutform is turned over and returned to the stacker by a turnover unit disposed above the stacker. Finally, the turned over cutform is transferred forward and printed on its rear face again by the same printing unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeder and invertor apparatus for sheet-processing machines for selective operation with or without inversion, preferably for two offset printing machines arranged in tandem. According to the invention, two conveyor belt arrangements, such as invertor apparatus 50 and belt conveyor 26, extend parallel to one another and are disposed one above the other, so that the adjacent runs of these two belt arrangements form a gap (35), in which the sheets can be fed by the belt conveyor (26) from one machine (3) toward another machine (5). Sheet grippers (58) are disposed on the belt (56) of the invertor apparatus (50), closing in the vicinity of the run remote from the belt conveyor (26) and opening in the vicinity of the run oriented toward the belt conveyor (26).

Abstract: A sheet stacking device and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet stacking device. The sheet stacking device has a sheet sorting function, and in addition, sheet re-feeding function so as to make it possible to produce a duplex copy or superimposed copy. It is further possible to use the sorter portion as a sheet feeding facility.

Abstract: A both side recording apparatus for recording on both sides of a sheet of paper includes printer main body provided with an image forming device and a table provided with a feed-back path. In a one side print mode, a sheet of paper is fed from a cassette and it is temporarily halted by a registration roller, and then the sheet of paper is moved past a photosensitive drum to thereby have a toner image transferred from the drum to one side of the sheet of paper. Then, after having the toner image fixed to the sheet of paper, the sheet of paper is discharged onto a tray. In a both side print mode, after image fixing, the sheet of paper is routed to the feed-back path, so that the sheet of paper is inverted and again fed toward the registration roller. In accordance with the present invention, it is so structured that a sheet of paper is transported at an increased speed while being transported at least a part of the feed-back path.

Abstract: Cut paper electrophotographic printers with continuous paper feed mechanisms including a pickup roll, a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, an optical unit, a host controller, a developing unit, a transfer unit and fixing rolls. Further included are first and second branch passages for providing alternate feeding paths to continuously feed cut paper sheets to the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a postal matter comprises a main transporter for transporting the matter one by one and first and second auxiliary transporters extending form the feed-out end of the main transporter. The first auxiliary transporter have a feed-out end thereof connected to the feed-in end of the main transporter. A gate is provided between the main and auxiliary transporters to selectively connect the main transporter one of the first and second auxiliary transporters, and a stamper is provided on the second auxiliary transporter for stamping supplied postal matter. The apparatus is stopped when jamming of postal matter occurs in the transporters and the gate causes the main transporter and first auxiliary transporters to be held connected for a predetermined period of time at the time of resuming the operation of the apparatus after removal of the jamming.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records an image impression of an original on a sheet. The recording apparatus comprises a flip lever arranged to oppose a distal end of a first convey path for conveying the sheet recorded by a recording mechanism. The flip lever is movable between the first position where the sheet conveyed along the first convey path is guided in a second convey path and a second position where the sheet is guided in a third convey path. A temporary stacking tray is arranged to oppose a distal end of the second convey path and temporarily stacks the sheet guided by the flip lever from the first convey path to the second convey path while the first surface of the sheet faces upward. In front of the temporary stacking tray, an inverting mechanism is provided for conveying the sheet temporarily stacked on the temporary stacking tray to the third convey path through a fourth convey path without passing through the flip lever while the second surface opposing the first surface faces upward.

Abstract: A document feeder for recirculating simplex or duplex document sheets in a sheet stack to and from a scanning station of a reproduction apparatus of the type including a donor/transfer member for producing simplex or duplex copies of simplex or duplex document sheets. The recirculating feeder includes a hopper for holding the document sheets and a first cylinder located in spaced relation to the hopper and in juxtaposition with the scanning station. The first cylinder is capable of having a document sheet tacked to its peripheral surface. Second and third cylinders, capable of having a document sheet tacked to their respective peripheral surfaces, are located between the hopper and the first cylinder in nip relation with the first cylinder and one another. The cylinders are bidirectionally rotatable about their respective longitudinal axes. A document sheet is transportable from the hopper into the nip relation between the second and third cylinders.

Abstract: A face and back mechanism for coordinating the faces and backs of sheets has a rotating and moving device capable of holding sheets, a conveying passage feeding the sheets into the rotating and moving device, a stopper for stopping the sheets held by the rotating and moving device at a prescribed position, and an extracting and conveying-out device for extracting each of the stopped sheets from the rear end thereof and conveying it out. Any sheets to be reversed are reversed in a short period of time, and conveyed in the direction of a joint point of convergenge of the conveying passage and a bypassing passage.

Abstract: A document feeder for recirculating simplex or duplex document sheets to and from a scanning station of a reproduction apparatus for selectively producing pre-collated or post-collated simplex or duplex copies of simplex or duplex document sheets. The document feeder includes a first document sheet transport path extending from a hopper to the scanning station; a second transport path located in juxtaposition with the scanning station for moving a document in scanning relation to such station; a third transport path, for turning a document sheet over, located between the hopper and the second transport path; and a fourth transport path extending between the second path and the hopper. A drive mechanism, associated with the transport paths, is operative to transport a sheet in a particular direction along such respective paths.

Abstract: Sheet stacking apparatus for handing simplex and duplex copy sheets has both inverting and non-inverting copy sheet paths (6a, 6b) which can be selected by moving a diverter (7) between two positions. In one position (7a) the copy sheet is directed along guide branch (6a) into slots (9) of the disc inverter (8) which rotates to invert the sheet. The sheet is advanced by nip rolls (32a, 32b) at the output end of the inverting path (6a). An upwardly inclined collection tray (10) has a backstop (30) located in the path of the inverted sheet, but with recesses (20) which allow the discs (8) to pass freely. The lead edge of the sheet is brought to rest when it abuts the backstop (30). Nip rolls (32a, 32b) continue to advance the sheet until its trail edge exits the rolls (32a, 32b) and thus it is delivered into the collection tray (10) inverted.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus which can form an image on both surfaces of a copying paper as required. The apparatus includes a copying paper conveying passage, a copying paper feeding means for feeding a copying paper sheet to the paper conveying passage, a conveyance controlling means disposed adjacent to the downstream end of the paper conveying passage, a copying paper discharging passage extending from its upstream end adjacent to the downstream end of the conveyance controlling means, a copying paper reversing passage extending from its upstream end adjacent to the downstream end of the conveyance controlling means, a copying paper returning passage extending from its upstream end adjacent to the upstream end of the conveyance controlling means, a copying paper re-feeding passage, and a copying paper re-sending means for re-sending a copying paper returned through the paper returning passage to the paper conveying passage through the paper re-feeding passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for arranging the obverse and reverse sides of the bills or the like includes a carrying-in passage and a carrying-out passage. A reversible conveying passage is provided between the carrying-in passage and the carrying-out passage for conveying the bills from the carrying-in passage in a direction identical or opposite to the carrying-in passage.

Abstract: A sheet-reversing device suitable for use in copying machines and other sheet-handling machines has a main roller and a feed-in and a feed-out roller which are frictionally driven by the main roller. The axes of those rollers remain fixed with respect to each other. When a sheet is fed to the nip between the main roller and the feed-out roller, it is transported without reversing, but when fed up to the nip between the main roller and the feed-in roller, it enters into a switchback path and the formerly trailing edge of the sheet is fed to the nip between the main roller and the feed-out roller and then is reversely transported (trailing edge first). By selecting the appropriate inlet path, the sheet is selectively reversed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records an image impression of an original on a sheet. The recording apparatus comprises a flip lever arranged to oppose a distal end of a first convey path for conveying the sheet recorded by a recording mechanism. The flip lever is movable between the first position where the sheet conveyed along the first convey path is guided in a second convey path and a second position where the sheet is guided in a third convey path. A temporary stacking tray is arranged to oppose a distal end of the second convey path and temporarily stacks the sheet guided by the flip lever from the first convey path to the second convey path while the first surface of the sheet faces upward. In front of the temporary stacking tray, an inverting mechanism is provided for conveying the sheet temporarily stacked on the temporary stacking tray to the third convey path through a fourth convey path without passing through the flip lever while the second surface opposing the first surface faces upward.

Abstract: Sheet turning device for small offset printing machines, comprising a conveyor system with gripper bridges linking two adjacent small offset printing machines for transporting a sheet having at least one printing performed thereon from one of the small offset printing machines to the other, the conveyor system being formed of two endless conveyor strands extending parallel to one another and being twisted in the form of a Mobius band, one part of the conveyor system extending between pairs of sprockets and Mobius-band twist formed therein, while the other part of the conveyor system is located opposite the one part and extends rectilinearly, so that the sheet transported in the region of the one part of the conveyor system is turned around the longitudinal axis thereof as it is being transported.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus for single or both side original copy has belts and rollers to carry an original to an exposure position a glass platen, motors for driving the belts and rollers, an electromagnetic brake and a drive control circuit to apply electromagnetic and electric brake forces on the motors, and a .mu.-COM to control the operation of the apparatus. The original can be stopped at the exposure position with high position, and both side original copy can be automatically performed without requiring the user to rearrange the originals after the copy operation.

Abstract: An automatic duplex copying type copying apparatus for automatically copying opposite copying faces of an original document onto opposite faces of a copy paper sheet, respectively, including first and second trays for sequentially accommodating first and second copy paper sheets, respectively, an original feeding device for feeding first and second original documents from an original feeding tray to an original platform, a transport device for transporting the first and second copy paper sheets to the first and second trays, respectively, an original returning device for returning the first and second original documents to the original feeding tray and a paper feeding device for feeding the first and second copy paper sheets from the first and second trays, respectively.

Abstract: A sheet reverse apparatus for reversing a paper sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus has a mounting mechanism fixed to the image forming apparatus, and a power transmission mechanism. The power transmission mechanism is engaged with an output gear coupled to a drive source of the image forming apparatus, and transmits a driving force from the image forming apparatus to an input gear. The power transmission mechanism has a swingable plate and a spring for biasing the swingable plate in one direction. A movable gear meshed with the input gear and rotatable therearound is axially supported on the swingable plate. When the sheet reverse apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus, driving power from the sheet reverse apparatus can be supplied from the image forming apparatus through the input gear and the power transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet material transporting apparatus has a first convey portion for conveying a sheet having an image on one surface thereof in a first direction along a first convey path, the image being formed by an image-forming section, and a second convey portion for conveying the sheet in a second direction along a second convey path extending to the image-forming section through the first convey path so as to form an image on the other surface of the sheet. A trailing edge detector is arranged in the vicinity of a branched portion between the first and second convey path to detect the trailing edge of the sheet. In a sheet guide portion for causing the branched portion between the first and second convey paths to communicate with the discharge portion, the sheet is sent in a first direction for a predetermined period of time after the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the trailing edge detector to invert the sheet conveying direction to the second convey path.

Abstract: A finishing station is disclosed as having a rotary sorter arranged to receive a stream of sheets at a loading station and to collate them into booklets or copy sets. An adhesive binder is positioned at an unloading station and is arranged for movement toward and away from the edges of the booklets while still in the sorter bins of the sorter. When moved toward the edges of the booklets, an applicator roller in the binder is arranged to apply adhesive material to the edges in timed sequence relative to sheet loading.

Abstract: In a copier with a recirculating document handler pivotally mounted to be closable over an imaging station on the upper surface of the copier, and a document inverter, and the capability of automatically copying both sides of documents at the imaging station by utilizing the document inverter to invert documents being recirculated by the document handler, the improvement wherein the document inverter is only partially in the document handler and operatively but non-integrally incorporates a generally planar document chute which is independently integrally mounted to the copier and is not a physical part of or pivotal with the document handler, to provide a more compact document handler with automatic document inversion capability, wherein the document chute is defined by upper and lower baffles for containing and guiding a document for reversal therein by the document inverter, and wherein at least a major portion of these upper and lower baffles are integral to the copier, laterally adjacent to both the imag

Abstract: In a document handler for a copier for providing recirculative copying at the copier imaging station of plural documents stacked in a recirculative copying input tray with automatic inversion of duplex documents by a document inverter with a document inverting chute in the recirculative path of the documents, and with a document return path after this recirculative copying back to the input tray, and wherein this same document handler also has an integral alternative non-recirculative copying document input for non-recirculative document copying at the same imaging station, and a document output for this alternative document input for ejecting documents from the document handler after the non-recirculative copying, the improvement wherein the document inverting chute is substantially planer, and open ended, to provide for alternative unobstructed unidirectional document feeding therethrough, and the document inverter operates to reverse the direction of movement of documents in the inverting chute from the in

Abstract: A sheet sorter apparatus is disclosed as having a basic sorter unit comprising a horizontal transport, a vertical transport, and a plurality of sorter bins wherein the vertical transport has a pair of bin indexing guide elements, one of which is arranged to index sheets into the bins sequentially, while the other element is arranged to index sheets to a second sorter unit containing only a plurality of bins thereby allowing the use of additional bins without added transport structure.

Abstract: This specification discloses an automatic original conveying device for conveying a supported original to a reading position and discharging the original from the reading position after the surface to be read of the original is read.

Abstract: A recirculating document handling apparatus and method for plurally recirculating duplex original document sheets to and from a stack thereof and to and from the imaging station of a copier for providing duplex document precollation copying, providing selected ones of different, compact, partially shared document recirculation looped paths depending on the copying mode selected with movable path selector means for, in an immediate duplex mode, returning a document sheet in a selected loop path directly but inverted to said copying station for copying the opposite side thereof after copying one side thereof and before returning the document sheet to said stack, and alternatively, in another, common side duplex copying mode, returning a document sheet to said stack inverted after copying one side thereof, using common paths.

Abstract: A recirculating document handling apparatus and method for plurally recirculating original document sheets to and from a stack thereof and to and from the imaging station of a copier for providing precollation copying, providing selected ones of different but compact and partially shared document recirculation loop paths within a common loop path, selected depending on the copying mode selected with path selector means.

Abstract: A copier capable of producing simplex and duplex copies includes an inverter that has constantly rotating input and output rollers mounted for pivotal movement into and out of engagement with a reversibly rotatable sleeve that is mounted on a stationary shaft. When inversion of a sheet is required, a shiftable gate deflects the sheet into a nip formed between the input rollers and the rotatable sleeve. A sensor senses the trail edge of the sheet and through a controller causes a reversible drive motor to pivot the input rollers out of engagement with the sleeve while simultaneously placing the output rollers into driving engagement with the sleeve. The sheet is then driven by the output rollers out of the inverter and back into the paper path of the copier for further processing.

Abstract: A modular assembly for selectably changing or diverting sheet items from an input pathway into a selected one of a number of output pathways. Three irregularly shaped one-way gate members, actuated by the passage of the item, act to prevent return movement of the item into the input pathway. Two sets of three diverter members coupled together by means of a novel linkage to a single actuating solenoid act to cause the two sets of diverters to move in unison in one or the other of two opposite directions to divert the items into selected output pathways as desired.

Abstract: A sorter mechanism for receiving and stacking discrete sheets in a preselected order. A plurality of bins are provided for receiving discrete sheets delivered to the bins with a given side facing in a particular orientation. The bins, each of which have oppositely disposed first and second sheet supporting members, are positionable so as to support the sheets with the given side facing the first sheet supporting members when the bins are in a first position and with the given side facing the second sheet supporting members when the bins are in the second position. Sheets fed along a predetermined path to the sorter mechanism are directed into selective bins, the bins being selectively positioned in either of the mentioned positions dependent upon the original orientation of the given sheet side in the predetermined path and the desired final order of the sheets being stacked.

Abstract: A collator being adapted to receive and carry copy sheets from a copying machine and distribute the copy sheets to a plurality of bins arranged in series for storing the copy sheets. The collator is provided with a copy sheet feeding table and a copy sheet feeding mechanism for sending, one by one, the copy sheets stacked on the copy sheet feeding table. It results that copy sheets received in an over-flow tray or produced by other copying machines can be collated or sorted automatically in the collator according to the invention.

Abstract: A rear entry collator which includes one or more sheet receiver bins in which sheets may be assembled in a non-inverted surface orientation with respect to the surface orientation thereof when accepted at infeed. Return sheet feed to a copier may be provided to effect duplex copying separately or in combination with sheet assembly in the receiver bins.

Abstract: Device for the assorted collection of sheets, comprising a transport track and bins situated along this track. The bins are provided with guide organs and each bin can be moved so that its guide organ protrudes into the track so as to guide a sheet into a bin. In the transport track the sheets are transported by means of belts running around a vacuum holddown device so as to hold the sheets onto the belts.

Abstract: A copy production machine is capable of having copies from plural independent copy runs in a copy sheet transport path at a given instant. Such independent runs are combined to produce duplex (double-sided) copies. Recovery from jams in such duplex operations is described. The described system also distinguishes between copy sheets having images and non-imaged copy sheets. Apparatus and procedures are described for utilizing the counts for precisely recovering from loss of copy sheets due to a jam or other stoppage condition. Control of a billing meter is also disclosed.

Abstract: Documents are fed to a platen of a copier from two different feeding apparatus, one of which is a recirculating feeder adapted to sequentially feed a plurality of document sheets from one document to the platen for copying each sheet in a known manner. Typically the recirculating feeder is used in making most of the copies, and it may be used to keep the machine running substantially continuously. The platen also can receive one or more sheets of another document from a document positioner. For example, the positioner can feed a document sheet that is too large to be accommodated by the recirculating feeder, or it can feed a document sheet that may not be reliably handled by the recirculating feeder (such as a document sheet made by assembling copy onto a backing sheet), or the positioner can feed documents comprising a single sheet. Also, the positioner can be used for making document masters that are then copies using the recirculating feeder.

Abstract: A sheet receiving apparatus for a reproducing machine includes at least one sheet receiving bin. The receiving bin includes first and second sheet supporting bin side wall members for supporting sheets therein which are pivotally mounted for their upper ends along the path of a sheet transport. When the supporting members are in a first orientation sheets in the bin are supported by the first member, and in a second and different orientation sheets in the bin are supported by the second member. The apparatus is particularly useful as an output bin or as a multibin collator. Automatically pivoting the bin or bins from one orientation to the other provides proper collation for simplexed or duplexed copies respectively.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus for collating both simplex or side one up and duplex or side two up copies from a copying machine. The sorting apparatus includes tray assemblies arranged .[.axially.]. .Iadd.radially .Iaddend.of a rotatable member adapted to rotate in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. A conveyor transports sheets toward a first or second feed zone adjacent the path of the tray assemblies. The direction of the tray assemblies and feed zone selected depend on the sorting mode of operation desired by the machine operator. The copy sets are unloaded at a gate into a tray member which is slideably reciprocated on receiving alternate sets to stagger the sets into separately identifiable stacks in the tray member.