Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes original stacker having plural stages spaced from each other, each of which is capable of accommodating sheet originals; a support for supporting the plural stages for movement substantially along the stages; a feeder for feeding sheet originals from a selected one of the stages of the original stacker; conveyer for conveying the sheet originals from the feeder to a predetermined position; reversing device for returning the sheet originals having been placed at the predetermined position to the same selected stage; and a driver for driving the original stacker so as to bring the plural stages selectively toward the feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting photographs has an endless track, driven in upper and lower paths, which bears a plurality of racks, at regular spacings, which are placed in a loading position to receive sheets by groups. A plurality of tray boards form a rack between each two adjacent tray boards for receiving a group of the sheets. The tray board includes a bottom plate attached to the endless track and formed with two slots, a partition plate extending upwardly from the bottom plate to make the rack stand vertically when the rack is on the upper path. Two supporting brackets are secured to the partition plate and extend rearwardly from the partition plate for supporting thereon the group of sheets received in the rack, each supporting bracket being received in the slots of the bottom plate of another of the adjacent tray boards.

Abstract: A sheet sorter includes a plurality of bin trays in the form of multi-stage; a plurality of followers adjacent sheet receiving sides of the bin trays; a rotatable screw for sequentially moving the followers to expand a gap between adjacent bin trays; and wherein accommodating portion disposed at both sides of the sheet receiving side of the sheet sorter to accommodate the rotatable screw, a connecting portion for connecting the accommodating portions and a member for defining a groove for guiding movements of the plurality of followers, are integrally molded.

Abstract: A compact sorter for sorting copied papers is disclosed which comprises: slot liners, a transfer wheel, and a plurality of bin trays, and is characterized in that the middle portion of the slot liner which is formed in each of side plates of the sorter body is bent toward the ejecting section of the copy machine within the radius of gyration of the transfer wheel, in such a manner that the bin trays for loading the copied papers should advance one by one to directly below the ejecting roller, so that the ejected papers should be exactly received into the correct position of each of the bin trays. According to the present invention, vertical and horizontal movements of the bin trays are made to be possible, and both the bin tray which has completed the receiving of a copied paper and the bin tray which has been waiting are made to be simultaneously moved, thereby providing continuous operations and a reduced installation space.

Abstract: A bi-directionally vertically bin indexed multi-bin sheet sorter, for a fixed position sheet output, such as a copier or printer, with a sheet edge alignment registration jogging system for tamping sheets which are in the immediately previously loaded bins directly above or below the bin being loaded (the bin adjacent the fixed sheet output) concurrently with that bin being loaded but without interfering with the feeding of the sheet into that bin. A single jogging system is stationarily mounted adjacent the sheet output to intermittently horizontally move a jogging member (which extends vertically alongside all three of these adjacent sorter bins) into the above and below bins for tamping sheets therein towards a registration position, such as a corner stapling position, but is configured to not extend into the sheet feeding path and to not tamp sheets in the bin being loaded.

Abstract: A control method for a sheet sorter including a plurality of sorting bins, a sheet discharger for discharging sheets to the sort bins and a driver for moving the sort bins to present the sort bins to the discharger includes moving the sorting bins at a first speed in association with receipt of the sheet by one of the sorting bins and moving the sorting bins at a second speed in association with a discharge interval between the sheets discharged by the sheet discharger, by controlling the driver.

Abstract: An apparatus in which copy sheets are sorted into sets of copy sheets and positioned at a discharge region by trays mounted slidably on a frame in the finishing station of an electophotographic printing machine. Each tray has an entrance region and an exit region Copy sheets are received at the entrance region of the trays. Successive trays are moved to the set discharge region where completed sets of copy sheets are removed from the exit regions thereof.

Abstract: A method for controlling a sheet sorter wherein plural bins are sequentially moved to be faced to a sheet material inlet to sort the sheet materials onto the bins includes permitting sorting operation; and starting to reset the plural bins after the sheet materials are taken out of the bins.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet sorter with plural sorting bins, in which a selected bin is automatically switched, when sheets of a predetermined number which varies according to the sheet size, are stored therein, to another bin in order to prevent breakage of bins and to ensure smooth bin movement.

Abstract: A sheet sorter includes first sheet discharging device for discharging sheet materials during non-sorting mode operation; second sheet discharging device for discharging sheet materials during sorting mode operation; a bin for the non-sorting mode operation; a plurality of bins for the sorting mode operation, a first bin of which is opposed to the second discharging device when the non-sorting bin is opposed to the first discharging device, wherein during the sorting mode operation, the plural bins are sequentially opposed to the second discharging device; and supporting device for supporting the non-sorting bin and the sorting bin with a predetermined positional relation to move them together.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system, especially for a printer or copier set complier, in which sheets are sequentially fed for stacking into a stacking tray to a stacking registration wall position, a sheet stacking assistance and control system is provided by partially supporting and rotating an endless weighted chain-like lose element member, e.g., a metal bead chain, from above the stacking tray, preferably by two spaced and commonly driven pulleys, so that a first chain portion continuously moves downwardly towards the stacking tray in the path of said sheets being fed in the stacking tray to help pull them down, and then the chain flexes so that a substantial second chain portion continuously lies on the top sheet being stacked and continuously drags it towards the registration position, and then desirably an immediately following third chain section is pulled through the registration wall and sharply arcuately dropped there below the stack top level to continuously drag down the sheet edges there.

Abstract: In a multi-bin sorter for collating sheets of paper or the like from a fixed sheet output into sets in the bins, with a system for sorter bin loading in which the bins are opened relative to one another adjacent the fixed sheet output, the bins are respectively intermediately pivotally mounted in an array to a common mounting system (with a fixed spacing at their pivotal mounting positions) for common linear vertical movement as an integral unit with a simple drive system, yet individually pivoted open for loading by a fixed pivotal control guide system, preferably a generally linear cam track with a transition for engaging individually integral extensions of said bins to pivot them about their intermediate pivotal mounting into the sorter bin loading position relative to the next adjacent bin, when the bin array is commonly vertically moved by the drive system.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus having a sheet discharging outlet includes a sheet stacking portion, a conveyer for receiving a sheet material from the sheet outlet of the image forming apparatus and for conveying the sheet material to the sheet stacking portion, speed controller for changing a conveying speed of the conveyer to provide a first conveying speed while the sheet material is being confined by the image forming apparatus and to provide a second conveying speed which is higher than the first speed after the sheet material is released from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A sorter for accommodating copy paper sheets which is arranged to receive copy paper sheets from a copying apparatus main body for classification and successive accommodation of the copy paper sheets onto a large number of trays, and characterized in that there is provided a memory device for storing accommodating positions of the copy paper sheets onto the trays. A control circuitry is provided for automatically selecting the tray position of the stored content of the memory device in cases of troubles such as paper jamming or running out of copy paper sheets.

Abstract: A sheet sorting device having a plurality of bin trays has a resilient member for imparting to a bin tray support member a force in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity and reducing a load applied to a bin tray drive source. A detecting device for stopping the driving of the drive source detects the movement of the drive source when the drive source moves up or down relative to the bin trays. Drive source has two lead portions, smooths the movement of the bin group and makes the amount of opening between the bins always constant.

Abstract: A sheet sorting device having a plurality of bin trays has a resilient member for imparting to a bin tray support member a force in the direction opposite to the direction of travity and reducing a load applied to bin tray driving means. Detecting means for stopping the driving of the driving means detects the movement of the driving means when the driving means moves up or down relative to the bin trays. Cam means has two lead portions, smoothes the movement of the bin group and makes the amount of opening between the bins always constant.

Abstract: A sheet sorting machine of the shifting tray type has a plurality of trays mounted for shifting movement past a sheet infeed location during sorting operation. The trays are pivoted to widely spaced relation at the entry location and are also cammed open by tray ends at distal ends of the trays in response to the pivotal motion. A tray support is moved with the trays to maintain uniform tray angle.

Abstract: A sorter in which a stepwise bin driving mechanism which includes helical cams moves bins, which are arranged in multiple steps, sequentially and intermittently to a sheet delivery position for loading the respective bins with sheets. The sorter includes pin guides and support frames which are constituted by side plates each being provided with an elongate slot for guiding a pin, which is provided on each side of the base end of a bottom plate of each bin. Cam members are provided at both sides of the other or free end of each bin. The cam members of the lowermost one of the bins have a greater height than those of the other bins so that, while the sorter is in a sort mode, the space available above the bottom plate of the lowermost bin for receiving sheets becomes greater than those available above the other bins. A bin drive motor which serves as a drive source for the bin driving mehanism is implemented with an AC reversible motor.

Abstract: A sorter comprising a plurality of vertically arranged bin trays. The bin trays have widthwise projecting trunnions at least in one side thereof. The trunnions are stacked vertically and can move in the stacking direction along a predetermined moving passage. The sorter further comprises a transfer mechanism for elevating and lowering the trunnions successively one by one along the predetermined transfer passage and successively spacing adjacent bin trays vertically at their sheet receiving ends to form a sheet receiving opening. The transfer mechanism has a pair of cooperating rotating cam plates. Each of the rotating cam plates has at least one trunnion receiving groove extending radially and being opened at its radial outside end and an outer circumferential cam surface continuously extending circumferentially excepting the site of the trunnion receiving groove. The outer circumferential cam surface is a convoluted surface whose radius progressively increases in a predetermined rotating direction.

Abstract: Multiple copies of sheets produced by a copying machine or the like are sorted onto trays. The trays are arranged in a stack and are moved upwardly and downwardly to enable different sheets to be sorted onto the trays on each upward pass and downward pass of the stack. The trays have pairs of pins extending outwardly from opposite side edges into a pair of slots on upright support plates. The walls of these slots support each tray as a cantilever. One of the slots, which is closest the rear edge of the trays, is preferably larger than the other and enables any adjacent trays to be spread apart by lifting and tilting one of the trays so as to provide access between the separated trays for jam clearance and the like. A shifting mechanism moves the trays across a gap into which sheets are dispensed from the copier onto the tray at the underside of the gap. This lifting mechanism is a rotatable assembly which engages the pins and moves a tray across the gap.

Abstract: A collecting device for polyethylene-sheet calendar manufacturing machines including a supporting plate having horizontal upper and lower plates, a pair of rollers disposed adjacent to the supporting plate, a belt disposed on and driven by the rollers and a plurality of receiving devices engaged on the belt and supported by the supporting plate. Each receiving devices has a fixing piece secured on the belt and a receiving box engaged with the fixing piece by a bearing, so that the opening of the receiving box faces upwards during operation.

Abstract: A sorter comprising a plurality of vertically arranged movable bin trays and a transfer mechanism for elevating and lowering the bin trays successively. Follower projecting portions, projecting in a predetermined direction, are provided respectively on the bin tray. The projecting lengths of the projecting portions increase stepwise from the bottom to the top of the bin tray arrangement.

Abstract: A sheet sorting device having a plurality of bin trays has a resilient member for imparting to a bin tray support member a force in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity and reducing a load applied to a bin tray drive source. A detecting device for stopping the driving of the drive source detects the movement of the drive source when the drive source moves up or down relative to the bin trays. A cam member has two lead portions, smooths the movement of the bin group and makes the amount of opening between the bins always constant.

Abstract: A random access sheet receiver is provided with a stack of trays having ends vertically shiftably mounted in a frame structure and forming bins to receive sheets from a copier, printer, or the like, wherein said ends of the trays are normally closely spaced and rest one on the other. A sheet infeed is pivotally mounted in the frame structure to receive sheets exiting from the copier, printer, or the like, the infeed being associated with a bin opening mechanism which raises and lowers the infeed and has a lifter to pivotally open and hold open said ends of the trays during transport of a sheet to a selected bin. The other ends of the trays are supported on cams which increase the space at the other ends of the bins in response to pivotal opening of the trays by the bin opener.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus of this invention includes a microfilm feeder for moving images on a microfilm to a read position; a printer section for forming an image on the microfilm located at the read position on a sheet; a plurality of bin trays for stacking the sheets delivered from the printer section; a sorter for distributing the sheets delivered from the printer section to the bin trays; a case mark detector for detecting a case mark formed in correspondence with a specific one of images of each case on the microfilm; and a CPU for controlling the sorter in accordance with an output from the case mark detector so that different bin trays hold the sheets, on which images of each objective case are formed, in units of cases; and an input unit for inputting a copy set number. The CPU also controls the printer section so as to repeat an operation for sequentially recording the images of each objective case in a predetermined order in units of sets.

Abstract: An extremely compact sorting apparatus includes a plurality of trays, each tray having a pin on each side of an entry portion side where a recorded sheet is received. The tray pins are guided by a vertical guide groove disposed on a frame so as to form a tray entry portion, as cam wheels with slots shift trays one level upwardly or downwardly. A transport plate for guiding a recorded sheet pivotally supports a discharge roller shaft and a cam wheel shaft coaxially. Furthermore, a motor for driving the discharge rollers and a motor for driving the cam wheels are mounted on the transport plate to provide a transport unit. When a recorded sheet is inserted onto the transport plate, it is detected by a detector, so that the drive of the discharge rollers begins and the recorded sheet is discharged to the tray entry portion. When this discharge is completed, the drive of the cam wheels begins so that the trays are shifted by one level.

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 compact sheet stacker or sorter for a xerographic or other copier has respectively one or more upright sheet-receiving bins which are fed from below by a guide assembly which, in the case of a sorter, can be indexed from bin to bin but, in the case of a stacker is fixed. With this arrangement sheets are collected inproperly collated (1-N) order without using an active sheet inverter or conventional inverting paper path, thereby saving space. Bin plates defining the bins are shaped so as to hold sheets in a curved configuration transverse to the direction of sheet feed. The curvature imparts beam strength to the sheets enabling them to stand on edge even when the sheets extend above the tops of the bins. A stacker or sorter with relatively short bins can therefore handle a variety of sheet sizes without adjustment.

Abstract: A tray assembly for a sorting machine having a pair of tray pins disposed on both edges of a sheet entry side tray, a supporting member disposed at each tray end of a plurality of trays for forming a gap between each two trays of the plurality of trays in a stacked condition, and a hook for increasing the gap between tray ends in response to a movement of one of the trays while a tray entry forming member forms a tray entry successively each time that a sheet is fed to the tray assembly. A compact tray assembly can accommodate increased storage volume of sheets with reduced noise and jamming.

Abstract: A sorter for collating sheets into sets comprises a plurality of sheet-receiving bins defined by an array of movable plates and an indexing wheel for indexing the input ends of the bin plates sequentially past a fixed feed throat to align the bin openings in turn with the feed throat. Adjacent bin plates are relatively movable apart and together for varying the sizes of the bin openings and are interconnected to limit their maximum spacing. The bin plates are spaced apart opposite and at one side of the feed throat and arranged together on the other side of feed throat. The indexing wheel engages the bin plates sequentially and the bin plates are biassed away from the indexing wheel in one direction and their interconnection permits engagement thereof by the indexing wheel in opposition to the bias. The indexing wheel suitably has a discontinuous annular flange.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sorter for sequentially moving a plurality of vertically stacked storage sections to a sheet reception position by a moving mechanism which is pivoted upon reception of a rotational force from a drive, and for automatically sorting sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus into the storage sections. The moving mechanism is constituted by a link body, pivotal movement of the link member allows widening of a distance betwen two adjacent storage sections, and the plurality of storage sections connected by the corresponding regulating members can be moved to the sheet reception position, thereby making the sorter compact and achieving appropriate sorting without causing jam or the like.

Abstract: A printed sheet removal assembly selectively disengages sheets from the grippers of a sheet transport by actuation of a pivotable switch lever that moves an axially slidable rotating switch shaft. A two step switch cylinder is carried by the switch shaft and has adjacent rolling surfaces. One of these rolling surfaces is cam shaped and causes a control roller to move a gripper opening segment into the path of a sheet gripper. The switch cylinder is spring loaded and returns to its switched off position once the switch lever has been released.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying and storing documents of two different types according to those types, each document including indicia corresponding to the document type, comprising: a receiver for receiving documents to be identified and stored; an identifying mechanism for identifying the type of document received by the receiver as one of the two types; a conveyor responsive to the identifying mechanism for conveying documents to be stored to one of two loading positions corresponding to each of the two types; a stationary loading device positioned adjacent each loading position; and a movable container including a storage space corresponding to each of the two types for forcing a document to be stored from one of the loading positions into one of the storage spaces when the container is moved toward the document.

Abstract: A copy sheet transport is provided for integration between a copier and an indexing sorter arranged for collating the copier output into copy sets or booklets. The transport is associated with a control system for controlling the acceleration or deceleration of indexing movement of the sorter in accordance with the positional relationship of copy sheets in the transport. Sensors and a timing arrangement are devised for determining the positional relationship, and to impart correctional signals to the drive for the sorter.

Abstract: A sorter has trays or bins for storing sorted sheets, rollers for conveying the sheets received from a copying machine, a cam mechanism for moving the bins, and a controller including a microcomputer for properly controlling the sorting operation in different modes. With a minimum number of signals, the sorter can change the operation mode and can be turned off automatically if no sheet is received within a given time from reception of an ON signal.

Abstract: A device for separably supporting an auxiliary machine to an image forming apparatus, including supporting structure for supporting the auxiliary machine and for allowing the auxiliary machine to move up and down between an operative position wherein the auxiliary machine is cooperable with the image forming machine and a retracted position wherein said auxiliary machine is retracted from the operative position, and means for retaining the auxiliary machine at the operative position.

Abstract: A blueprint copy collating apparatus for use with a blueprint copying machine comprising a plurality of blueprint receiving bins which are adapted for vertical movement relative to a support frame. A conveyor means is provided for transporting blueprint copies to the blueprint receiving bins and a drive means provided for raising and lowering the bins relative to the conveyor according to a predetermined sequence which is determined by a control circuit and corresponds to user selection. A vibrator table is secured to the apparatus for aligning sets of blueprint copies which are removed from individual bins subsequent to completion of the sorting or stacking function.

Abstract: A method for collating a plurality of copies comprising advancing a group of bins in one direction for collating a selected number of copies, returning the bins in an opposite direction for collating the same number of copies after the advancing movement, repeating the advancing and returning movements alternately, detecting a change of the selected number of copies during the collating operation, and starting the collating operation from a specific standard bin in response to that detection.

Abstract: A sheet sorter which generates a signal for enabling image formation before the sheet sorter becomes ready for sheet handling, thereby reducing the time required for the first image recording.

Abstract: An apparatus in which sheets are sorted in selected ones of a plurality of movable trays shiftable relative to one another. One edge of the trays is supported with the remaining edges thereof being unsupported. Successive trays move from one side of a sheet inlet region to the other side thereof with the trays shifting relative to one another to provide wide entry regions at the sheet inlet region and at a sheet securing region.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus includes a plurality of trays, each having a pair of tray pins on the both sides of the sheet inlet of the tray and being held in a stacked condition; tray inlet holding members interposed between the tray pins of the vertically adjacent trays to define an inlet for a sheet and being vertically movable and rotatable; member which, upon rotation of the tray inlet holding member, moves the tray pins which are in contact with the holding members vertically while the holding member moves in the opposite vertical dirction, thereby shifting the sheet inlet defined between the tray pins; and supporting members disposed not to interfere with the vertical movement of the holding member and made into contact with the respective pairs of the tray pins in such a manner that the supporting members bear the bearing load produced from each tray and permit the tray pins to override the supporting members when the bearing load is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A sheet sorter including: a sheet feed passage having an outlet for feeding sheets one by one and a plurality of bin trays situated adjacent to the outlet for receiving sheets fed from the passage. Each said bin tray has a pair of training pins projecting outward from respective sides of an inlet end. These training pins are vertically guided so that the bin trays are held and stacked in a pile. A pair of Geneva cam wheels are used to shift the bin trays, successively, and simultaneously shift the outlet of the passage. The sheet feed passage is defined between upper and lower units accommodated in a sorter case. The upper unit is raised by opening a cover of the sorter case so that the sheet feed passage is opened and accessible for removing sheets jammed therein.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus of a spiral cam type for sorting or collating copy paper sheets discharged from a copying machine and the like, having a spiral groove of each spiral cam formed in an amount equivalent to the sum of the distance between bins in an expanded condition for receiving copy paper sheet and the distance between the bins in a non-expanded condition to eliminate vertical movements of the bins not directly related to the sorting or collating during expansion of the space between the bins.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus of a shiftable bin type for use in a copying apparatus or the like, which is arranged to be capable of readily and positively removing sorted copy paper sheets from respective bins.

Abstract: A sheet sorter including: a sheet feed passage having an outlet for feeding sheets one by one in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of bin trays situated adjacent to the outlet and stacked in a pile with gaps between the adjacent bin trays for receiving sheets fed from the passage. The gaps are widened, successively, at an inlet side of the bin trays. The passage is shifted up and down in synchronization with the widened gap so as to align the outlet of passage with the widened gap. A plurality of feed rollers are fixedly mounted on a shaft provided in the outlet for feeding the sheets into the widened gap. Swing plates are rotatably or swingably mounted on the shaft to direct the sheets onto the bin trays.

Abstract: For a sorter with movable bins capable of sorting in both directions from the upper bin to the lower bin and from the lower bin to the upper bin corresponding to a selected number of copies for successive originals, an improved controlling method for the sorter provides for returning the bins to a selected position when the number of copies is changed from the one previously set.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting sheets wherein the individual bins in the sorter are supported in the frame member in cantilevered fashion about only one edge and are open and unsupported in any other position. Each bin has plural means to movably support the bin in the frame comprising at least two support members slidingly engagable with the frame and sufficiently vertically spaced apart to prevent equilibrium when a coefficient of friction between the support means and the frame is at least 0.3 and a friction force between the support means and the frame is less than the weight of the bin, and further including a C-cam to sequentially vertically move said bins in the frame past a sheet entrance position.

Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus, used with an image printing apparatus, having a plurality of shiftable trays arranged in a vertical array; a pair of vertically movable cams for shifting the trays and for forming sheet discharge zone; a sheet feeding mechanism; and sheet edge guides, which are vertically movable integrally with the cams, for aligning the sheets deposited on the trays. The sheet feeding mechanism includes a sheet inlet unit, the level thereof is adjustable to meet the sheet discharge level of the image printing apparatus, and a tiltable sheet conveyor which bridges the sheet inlet unit and the sheet discharge zone.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus which has a nest of a plurality of sheet receiving bins supported on a sorting support frame, each bin with a sheet output end and a sheet input end, the plurality of bins being pivotally mounted at their output end about the same pivot point on the support frame such that the output end of each bin is at a level higher than its input end so that the bins slope upwardly for uphill stacking of sheets as they are inserted. The bins are spaced relatively close together at the input end and relatively far apart at the output end. The apparatus is also provided with a rotary shifting member to sequentially pivot the bins about their pivoting mount to index the bins past the fixed feed throat for sheet insertion and as the bins are indexed past the fixed feed throat the rotary shifting member widely spaces adjacent bins to provide sheet entry for successive bins when positioned opposite the feed throat while the input ends of the bins are nested close together on either side of the sheet entry.

Abstract: A machine for separating single plies of fabric from a stack of fabric plies uses a roller provided with a fabric ply engaging mechanism. The roller engages the top ply of fabric and removes it with a rolling action. The engaging mechanism comprises a pivotable rod mounted on the roller and provided with protruding pins which engage the top ply of fabric from the stack as the rod is pivoted. The machine can be arranged to sort alternate plies of fabric from one stack into separate stacks. The machine can be provided with an adjustable support for holding the stack and with a detector for detecting the presence of a single fabric ply on the roller.