Abstract: A sorter includes a feed belt for feeding a sheet, which is transferred from a sheet processor, vertically, a belt drive mechanism for running the feed belt in said one direction, a plurality of sorting trays, onto which at least one sheet is received, and which are stationary and arranged vertically, a distributing unit for distributing the sheet fed upon the running of the feed belt to a predetermined sorting tray, a press roller mechanism for pressing the sheet to the feed belt so that the sheet is frictionally engaged with the feed belt, thereby feeding the sheet upon the running of the feed belt, and moving mechanism for moving the press roller mechanism along the feed belt vertically.

Abstract: A sheet receiving sorting device or mailbox has a sheet infeed including a short, pivoted distributor to direct sheets from the infeed, selectively or in sequence, to the input ends of an array of sheet guides extending at angles radiating from the center of the infeed outwardly to the inlet ends of a vertical stack of trays. At the sheet infeed ends of the trays are drive rolls for carrying the sheets into the trays depending upon the positioning of the distributor with respect to the array of sheet guides. The frame structure enables removal of the guides for sheet jam removal.

Abstract: A sorter distributes plural sheets to plural sheet holding bins. The sorter includes the plural sheet holding bins for holding the plural sheets, in which inserting portions of the plural sheet holding bins are aligned in a line in a predetermined direction; a conveyance belt for conveying the plural sheets along the line; a distributor, that is reciprocally movable along the line, for distributing the plural sheets to the plural sheet holding bins; motorized pulleys for winding and unwinding a wire member; the wire member being connected between the motorized pulleys and the distributor; nipping apparatus for nipping and for conveying each of the plural sheets, the nipping apparatus being positioned between the conveyance belt and the wire member.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus includes a plurality of bin trays arranged in a direction with clearances between adjacent ones to accommodate sheet materials; at least one sheet holder, movable in the direction, for holding and and discharging the sheet materials to the bin trays; a sheet introducing device for introducing the sheet materials to the sheet holder; a non-sort bin for accommodating the sheet materials in a non-sorting mode operation; wherein the sheet introducing device is disposed opposed to the non-sort bin, and the sheet holding device has its home position opposed to the non-sort bin.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus includes a plurality of bin trays arranged in a direction with clearances between adjacent ones to accommodate sheet materials; a plurality of sheet introducing devices disposed at a plurality of positions along the direction; a first sheet holder, movable in the direction, for receiving the sheet materials from the sheet introducing device and holding the sheet materials; second sheet holder, movable in the direction, for receiving sheet from the first sheet holder and for discharging the sheet material to the bin trays; a deflector for deflecting the sheet material to one of the sheet holder; wherein the first sheet holder selects one of the sheet introducing device from which the first sheet holder receive the sheet material.

Abstract: A modular, flexibly adaptable "mailboxing" unit and system for both sequentially processing and separating, into a superposed array of plural separate mailbox print job sheet collection bins or trays, the sheet outputs of various users of various printers (including facsimile receivers, copiers or combination units). The mailbox module has left and right side printer inputs and vertical sheet transport input paths therefrom to at least one vertically modular replaceable sub-module for operating sequentially on sheets in the mailbox module sheet path prior to the separating and feeding of sheets into the mailboxes. The replaceable sub-module comprises at least one of a sheet rotator, a sheet inserter, a sheet inverter, a sheet folder, or a sheet hole punch. The mailbox module then provides a third vertical sheet transport path from the replaceable sub-module past the array of mailboxes to provide a bin selection path for the sub-module processed sheets, with optional compiling and finishing.

Abstract: In a sheet output module for the collection and stacking of printed media sheets from the output of a reproduction apparatus, with multiple separate sheet collection bins in a vertical array, a sheet input for receiving the sheets, and a sheet transport path for transporting the sheets to a selected bin; the sheet input is at a central vertical level intermediately of the module and the vertical bin array, the vertical bin array is divided into first and second portions with a central vertical space therebetween, the sheet transport path has a common shared central path from the input to a branching position where it arcuately branches in opposite directions, with a first branch path extending upwardly to feed sheets to the first portion of the bins and a second branch path extending downwardly to feed sheets to the second portion of the bins.

Abstract: The apparatus for transferring individual articles (M) in sheet form and placing them in stacks (P1, P2) of pre-determined numbers includes a conveyor (17, 23) which picks up the articles from a delivery system (11) by gripping them along their edges. Along said conveyor at least two reciprocating expellers (27, 29) disposed in series remove said articles from the conveyor and lay them down onto a stacker device (31, 35; 33, 37). Each expeller (27, 29) operates with continuous, reciprocating motion at all times. The expeller (27) which is closest to the delivery system (11) may selectively be moved, in the direction of its reciprocating motion, so as to take a position (27X, 27Y) in the trajectory of the manufactured articles fed by said conveyor means, and, alternately, a position (27X', 27Y'), in which it is not in the article-feeding trajectory.

Abstract: A high capacity sheet stacking system for stacking substantial quantities of the sequential sheet output of a reproducing apparatus on a sheet stacking tray providing an inclined sheet stacking surface at a substantial angle from the horizontal for receiving and registering sheets against an upstanding stack edge registration or alignment surface. Here, this stack edge alignment surface is automatically varied in height above the stacking surface with the change in stack height in the tray, in coordination with vertical repositioning of the sheet input level to the tray with stack height, so that an elevator system is not required for the stacking tray, and a simple fixed position tray may be used, yet high sheet stacking capacity provided.

Abstract: A paper discharging apparatus sequentially discharges a sheet of paper having an image on a surface thereof and stacks the paper sheet on a paper discharging base. The paper discharging apparatus has a blower for sending a gas flow to a space between a surface of the paper sheet previously discharged and arranged on the paper discharging base and a rear face of the next discharged paper sheet. A paper discharging apparatus of a printer has a paper discharging section having a paper discharging base for stacking a sheet of paper having a printed image on a surface thereof, and a paper feeding section for feeding the paper sheet to this paper discharging section. The paper feeding section has a blowing member for sending a gas to a space between a surface of the paper sheet previously fed and a rear face of the next fed paper sheet. The paper discharging section has a restraining member for restraining the gas supplied by the blowing member from being leaked on a side of the paper sheet.

Abstract: A printer with a sorter unit allows printed recording sheets to be sorted to a single tray selected from a plurality of trays by a recording sheet guide mechanism that pivots around a shaft. Thus, the printer can sort the printed sheets by page, by user, or discharge the printed sheets paginated or with the printed side facing upward. The sorter trays includes a first detection lever that is rotated by the weight of recording sheets and a second detection lever that rotates in association with the first detection lever. A lever detector is provided on the sorter guide to detect the movement of the second detection lever. The sorter or guide is also provided with a sheet detection lever to detect a jam in the sorter guide.

Abstract: A mimeographic printing machine comprising: mimeographic printing means for printing an image of an original document on successive sheets one at a time and for discharging the printed sheets; a sorter having a plurality of bins for receiving the printed sheets discharged from the mimeographic printing means; mode setting means for setting up the sorter for a specified mode such that a number of the printed sheets, which are printed for the same original document and exceed the number of the bins of the sorter, will be received on the bins in a specified order; and control means for detecting that the specified mode is set up by the mode setting means and for controlling the mimeographic printing means and the sorter in such a manner that the printed sheets discharged from the mimeographic printing means will be received orderly one after another in the bins, from the first bin to the last bin, and then the following printed sheets discharged from the mimeographic printing means will be received orderly one a

Abstract: A sheet conveyor joint mechanism comprises: frames for connecting a first sheet processing unit to a second sheet processing unit; and a sheet carrying mechanism provided in the frames and having a sheet intake portion of a carrying path for carrying sheets which is positionally adjustable relative to a sheet discharging portion of the first sheet processing unit and/or a sheet discharging portion of the carrying path which is positionally adjustable relative to a sheet intake portion of the second sheet processing unit.

Abstract: A device for transporting individual sheets of a sheet-form recording medium in office machines comprises an endless circulating conveyor belt for transporting the sheets. A pressure device holds sheets positively against the conveyor belt, and has a flat body parallel to and spaced from the conveyor belt; the body has thin, soft elastic pressure elements which press sheets against the conveyor belt.

Abstract: In a sorting device for sorted storage of recording media, a transport unit (32) receives the recording media (12) and conveys them to a selected storage compartment (16). Transport unit (32) runs on an endless positioning belt (24). In transport unit (32), sheet (12) is seized and gripped by rollers (34, 36). A single motor (26) drives positioning belts (24) of transport unit (32) and a drive belt (42) for their rollers (34, 36).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a sorter, includes a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, the bin each having sheet material sheet inlet portion, a discharging device movable along the inlet portions of the bins to discharge the sheet material to selected one of the bins, a sheet material accommodating tray other than the bins to accommodate the sheet materials, a guiding device switchable to direct the sheet material selectively to the bin or to the sheet material accommodating tray, and a device for switching the guiding device to direct the sheet material to the discharging device when the discharging device is at a position for discharging the sheet material to the bin, and the sheet material to the accommodating device when the discharging device is not at the position.

Abstract: A printer with a sorter unit allows printed recording sheets to be sorted to a single tray selected from a plurality of trays by a recording sheet guide mechanism that pivots around a shaft. Thus, the printer can sort the printed sheets by page, by user, or discharge the printed sheets paginated or with the printed side facing upward. The recording sheet guide mechanism is constructed to pivot around the shaft so that only a single drive unit is employed to select a tray for sorting. Thus, the printer has a simple and small structure. The printer has a recording sheet discharge outlet with discharge rollers for discharging a recording sheet that has been printed by the electrophotographic process.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus having an original feeding plate for retaining a supply of originals, a take-out roller for taking out the originals sheet by sheet, a copying device for forming on sheets an image corresponding to the image information of the original taken out by the take-out roller, a plurality of bins for receiving the sheets having images formed by the copying device, a reversing unit which can selectively reverse the stacking order of the image receiving sheets, and a guide unit which distributes to bins the sheet whose direction of the surface has been converted by the reversing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting sheets of paper discharged from an image forming apparatus includes a tray unit having a plurality of receiving trays for receiving the discharged sheets of paper. The trays are stacked in a predetermined direction at predetermined intervals. A movable unit is arranged to be movable in the predetermined direction along the tray unit. The sheets of paper discharged from the image forming apparatus are guided to the movable unit by a movable guide. The movable unit has a feeding unit for feeding the guided sheets into the tray unit. The feeding unit is movable between a feeding position adjacent to the tray unit and a remote position remote from the tray unit. By a shifting mechanism, the feeding unit is moved to the feeding position when the guided sheets are being fed, and is moved to the remote position when the movable member moves.

Abstract: A sorting device includes a plurality of shelves placed one above the other in a frame, each adapted to receive a printing plate in sorted fashion. Located in front of the insertion opening of the shelves is a transport device for moving the printing plates along the shelves, preferably from top to bottom. Between the transport device and the shelves is a sorting carriage which can travel along the shelves and which includes a pivotable flap which operates to deflect the printing plates from the transport device to a desired shelf. To allow the printing plates to be introduced into the shelves, while keeping the shelves placed close together, the shelves are pivotally mounted at their lower edges and the sorting carriage is provided with a tappet for engaging the shelf located above the selected shelf, to lift the upper shelves and thereby enlarge the insertion opening. The arrangement is especially suitable for sorting so-called "flexoplates" and flexible offset plates.

Abstract: A copying machine includes a copying unit, an automatic original feeding unit, and a sorting unit. The sorting unit includes discharging rollers and a tray unit. The tray unit is detachable to a main body and includes a plurality of trays which are detachably connected to the tray unit. The discharging rollers are located in the main body and moves upward and downward. The sorting unit further includes a tray detecting device which detects the position of a tray of the tray unit. Before the copying unit makes a copy, the detecting device detects the tray unit and each tray of the tray unit. When one of the trays is detected, a CPU memorizes the position of the tray and controls the discharging rollers to move upward or downward to the position facing the tray of the tray unit. A sheet from the copying unit is conveyed to the sorting unit. The sorting unit includes a pair of guide plates which define a guide path.

Abstract: A sheet sorting device includes a plurality of trays which are immovably arranged in a vertical array, a sheet ejection unit which is selectively movable from tray to tray and which includes a guide member which guides a sheet into the entrance of the tray and an ejection roller which ejects the sheet. The ejection unit is connected with drive mechanism which includes a Geneva cam and wheel arrangement. Each rotation of the Geneva cam moves the ejection unit from one tray entrance to a predetermined position with respect to the next entrance. During non-sorting modes, the ejection unit is set in a predetermined high position above the uppermost tray wherein the distance between the ejection unit and the uppermost tray is greater than the space between trays.

Abstract: A sorting device includes a plurality of shelves placed one above the other in a frame, each adapted to receive a printing plate in sorted fashion. Located in front of the insertion opening of the shelves is a transport device for moving the printing plates along the shelves, preferably from top to bottom. Between the transport device and the shelves is a sorting carriage which can travel along the shelves and which includes a pivotable flap which operates to deflect the printing plates from the transport device to a desired shelf. To allow the printing plates to be introduced into the shelves, while keeping the shelves placed close together, the shelves are pivotally mounted at their lower edges and the sorting carriage is provided with a tappet for engaging the shelf located above the selected shelf, to lift the upper shelves and thereby enlarge the insertion opening. The arrangement is especially suitable for sorting so-called "flexoplates" and flexible offset plates.

Abstract: Flexible printing plates are produced by a printing plate producing machine and then transferred at a transfer station to a series of grippers mounted on an endless roller chain and which can be swiveled and opened by cooperating connecting links to engage the printing plates. The printing plates are then brought to an unloading station where the grippers are pneumatically opened in a receiving head and the printing plates are dropped into a plate stacker for guiding the printing plates into a series of bins.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus to perform predetermined processes for a recorded sheet comprises: a processor to process a sheet which is output from a sheet output unit; a sensor to detect a carrier speed of the sheet; and a controller to perform predetermined processes on the basis of the sheet carrier speed detected by the sensor and sheet carrier speed data transmitted from the sheet output unit. The processor has a carrier to carry the sheet output from the sheet output unit and then stores the sheet carried by the carrier into storage units. The controller compares the sheet carrier speed detected by the sensor with the sheet carrier sheed data transmitted from the sheet output unit and outputs a warning signal to display the result of the comparison when the former speed is deviated from the latter speed by a value above a predetermined value.

Abstract: A sorter having a plurality of receptacles vertically disposed at given intervals includes a lift member for receiving a copied sheet. The lift member is vertically movable between a home position at which it can receive a sheet and positions corresponding to those of the receptacles. The lift member includes a pair of discharge rollers controlled so as to pinch a sheet being discharged to the sorter while the lift member is vertically moving between the home position and the level of one of the receptacles.

Abstract: A sheet material distributing apparatus includes a plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, a first sheet material gripping and conveying device displaceable to be opposed to a sheet material inlet of each of the bins, and a second sheet material gripping and conveying device displaceable to receive a sheet material from a sheet material discharging device and for transferring the sheet material to the first sheet material gripping and conveying device.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sheets which are supplied from an office machine such as a printer, comprises a take-up site for receiving the sheet from the printer and a plurality of output sites. The sheet can be deposited into any one of the output sites. A support carries pairs of engaged rollers which define a feed channel for a sheet. The feed channel has an inlet end which is alignable with the take-up site for receiving a sheet from the office machine. The support can be pivoted about a swiveling axis to bring the outlet end of the channel to any one of the output sites. A control mechanism is connected to a stepper motor which engages the support for rotating the support about its swiveling axis.

Abstract: A sheet discharge device carrying to sheet trays recorded sheets sent from an electrostatic copying machine, facsimile and other sheet handling devices. Each sheet discharged from a sheet handling device is pinched by a movable member, carried to one of sheet trays by moving the movable member to the sheet tray, and then discharged thereon. The sheet carry direction is changed by a desirable angle before discharging the sheet on the sheet tray.

Abstract: A sorter sorting a plurality of sheets one by one onto a plurality of receptacles disposed vertically. In the sorter, a minimum of two sheet dividers is provided in front of these receptacles to sort sheets by independently raising or lowering these sheet dividers.

Abstract: A sorter-stacker arrangement for sheet part pieces (17) such as are produced by a punch press (18), in which part pieces are unloaded onto a sorter table (50) in a located position against any one of a row of stops (52), and conveyed along an X-axis as by translation of the conveyor table therealong. A pair of storage racks (36) are disposed on opposite sides of the sorter table (50), each having a vertical array of open spaces facing the sorter table (50). The sorter table (50) is elevated to the preselected position, and advanced into the appropriate storage space (38). After lowering of the stripper gates (104), the sorter table (50) is retracted to align the part piece 17 by contact of the stripper gate (104) with the inside edge of the part piece (17) and stripped on to the stack as the sorter table (50) returns to the central position.

Abstract: A currency stacker-sorter having a movable receiver which receives a bill from a currency validator and carries the bill laterally to a position opposite the inlet of a selected one of a plurality of storage boxes, whereupon a ram mechanism is activated to place the bill into the selected storage box. The currency stacker includes a closed-loop position control system for selectively positioning the receiver mechanism at a desired location, the position control system including an optical encoder for sensing the position of the receiver mechanism relative to the inlets of the storage boxes. The ram mechanism also includes an optical encoder which allows that mechanism to complete a ram sequence in response to a single trigger pulse from the currency validator. Each storage box of the stacker-sorter includes a spring-loaded pressure plate connected to a rear portion of the box through a scissors linkage. Each compartment also includes a compartment FULL switch.

Abstract: A recorded sheet is turned from a face-up condition to a face-down condition by horizontal transport belts, a first guide member, vertical transport belts, and a second guide member. The recorded sheet is guided to a discharge device, and discharged to a tray by the discharge device. During a sorting action, the discharge device is transferred by a transfer device to the tray to which a sheet is to be discharged. In response to this transfer, a hold member is extended or shortened in a vertical direction and holds a sheet being transported between the hold member and the vertical transport belts in such a manner as to avoid interference with its transport, so that the sheet can be prevented from falling by gravity.

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: A sorting machine has a plurality of trays arranged in a vertical array, a vertical transport belt for transporting a recorded sheet introduced through a feed opening, a discharge unit for discharging the sheet to one of the trays, and a guide member which guides the transported sheet to the discharge unit. The discharge unit is shifted to one of the trays. The recorded sheet transported by the transport belt is held between the transport belt and a spiral spring which is retractile in the transport direction, so that dropping of the sheet by gravity is prevented.

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 sorter in which the various paper trays of the sorter may be randomly accessed is disclosed. The sorter includes a plurality of paper-receiving trays which are stationarily arranged in vertically spaced-apart relationship to one another at the downstream end of the sorter, and an upstream paper transporting and guiding device for receiving paper sheets from an upstream machine and delivering the same to selected ones of the paper trays. The deflecting device is pivotable at its upstream end and has its downstream end arcuately movable between the various vertical positions of the paper trays. A suitable indexing mechanism is provided for indexing the paper transporting and guiding device to selected ones of the paper trays.

Abstract: A plurality of paper supply mechanisms are spaced in a vertical direction. A printing section is provided on the discharge side of the paper supply mechanisms for vertical movement. A driving mechanism positions the printing section to one of the paper supply mechanisms.

Abstract: A device for sorting copied papers discharged from a copy machine according to page numbers thereof includes a guide plate pivotably mounted to a casing of the device at its one end adjacent a paper outlet of the copy machine. At the other end of the guide plate, a pair of paper-feeding rollers are disposed. The device also includes a lift motor adapted to pivot the guide plate in a stepwise manner via a pulley and a wire. Adjacent the guide plate, a plurality of trays are fixedly disposed.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting copy sheets which are produced by a copying machine from an original document includes a plurality of trays which are vertically arranged in multiple stages at predetermined intervals and an indexer for selecting a tray from the plurality of trays to which an individual copy sheet is to be conveyed. The indexer includes a first roller which changes a direction of conveyance of the copy sheets, and the first roller curves the copy sheets upward so that ends of the upwardly curved copy sheets curve downwardly with respect to a bottom surface of the trays, thereby increasing the number of copy sheets which can be stacked in the trays and preventing the occurrence of paper jams.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a dual tote sorting and stacking apparatus for continuously transporting, sorting and stacking sequentially fed sheets of paper such as from printing, copying and duplicating machinery. The apparatus employs mass airflow type of conveyors for paper transport. A diverter is provided for selectively diverting the sheet to designated receiving trays or, optionally, for expelling the sheet from the apparatus. A jogger is provided for jogging the sheets which are deposited into the trays into individually aligned job stacks. An assembly may also be provided for flipping the sheets as they enter the apparatus or for feeding individual sequentially fed sheets into the apparatus.

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: Disclosed is a mechanism for driving the paper delivery rollers in an elevator of an elevator-type sorter. The elevator is adapted to move through a passage that extends between the conveyor belt and the inner ends of a plurality of shelves. Paper sheets are delivered to the shelves through a deflecting path defined by the internal framework of the elevator. The paper sheets are fed onto the shelf by paper delivery rollers which are driven by a series of gears and a toothed belt mounted on the elevator. The gears are, in turn, driven by a rubber "tumbling roller" which is mounted in a pivotable bracket. This bracket is biased by a spring to bring the tumbling roller into contact with the conveyor belt so that its movement imparts a rotational motion to the tumbling roller.

Abstract: A paper sheet guide mechanism is provided for use in a sorter of the elevator type. Paper sheets are conveyed from an input through the paper sorter along a conveyor belt and are successively deflected by an elevator for distribution on corresponding paper shelves. A guide mechanism includes a plurality of moveable wires which on one end are attached to the elevator and extend parallel to each other along a common plane toward the top of the sorter. These moveable wires pass over a plurality of pulleys and are thereby directed down a common side of the housing, around other pulleys, and are attached to a bracket that is connected to the bottom of the elevator in an endless loop. A tension spring is interposed in each of these wire loops. The plane formed by the parallel moveable wires is adjacent to and slightly closer to the inner ends of the paper shelves than is the plane along which paper is transported through the sorter by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A copier is disclosed as having a sorter positioned on top of the copier housing for easy access to an operator. The path of movement of processed copy sheets is repeatedly folded in order to present to the operator collated copy sets or stacks for easy observation of sorting and removal. The sheets exit the copier processing station in a horizontal plane, are turned 90.degree. while still in the plane, are transported upwardly in a vertical plane, and deposited in sorter trays toward the operator.

Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus of the type in which a stack of trays are integrally moved by a driving device so that individual trays are sequentially brought into association with a sheet discharger to receive the sheets. A sheet passage is branched out of the passage for receiving the sheet from the sheet discharger to the trays so that two passages are usable for supplying the sheet to the trays. One of the two sheet passages is selected in response to the selection of the mode from the sorting mode and non-sorting mode.

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: A selective sheet feeder includes a plurality of trays and a sheet feed unit movable over the trays and including a conveyor. The sheet feed unit with a sheet held on the conveyor is moved toward and stopped over a prescribed one of the trays. Then, the conveyor is driven by a rotational drive source for discharging the sheet into the prescribed tray.

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 copying or printing machine comprising a microcomputer, a memory having a sequence control program for accomplishing copying or printing operation, and a processing unit operative for reproducing a copy. The copying machine is provided with a delivering device for delivering the copy, a sorter for sorting successive copies delivered from the delivering device and a jam detector for detecting a jamming of a copy in the sorter. The delivering device is covered with a cover which may be opened so that an operator may access the delivery device.When a malfunction in the sorter is detected by the jam detector, the microcomputer stops the operation of the copying machine. It is necesary for the operator to remove the copy detected by the jam detector and to close the cover after opening it once for restarting the operation of the copying machine. The microcomputer enables the copying machine to restart after it detects that the copy detected by the jam detector is cleared and the cover is closed.