Abstract: A wire stitcher in which a piece of wire is cut from a supply of wire W fed to a stitcher head and formed and driven through a set of sheets to bind the sheets together. The wire is guided into position relative to the driver and former by a guide mechanism arranged in the path of the former and which is resiliently mounted so as to be displaced by the former during forming.

Abstract: A collation system is disclosed for use with a very high speed, fully automated reproduction system having a document handling apparatus, copy sheet processor, and a finishing station. In this arrangement, a sorter bin array is arranged to collate the copy sheets into copy sets corresponding to a multiple page document, the array being held stationary for the collection of some of the copy sheets and is moved past a sheet-receiving station for receiving at least one of the copy sheets.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus is disclosed having an arrangement to prevent the repenetration of one or more legs of a staple during stapling of a low number of sheets, say on the order of 2, 3, 4, or 5 sheets while utilizing a staple of a size for 20 sheets or more. The invention is an improvement of a commercial machine which it modifies by adding a back up member to the staple deforming mechanism during penetration of the legs of the staple through sheets of paper and final bending of the legs in a stapling operation.

Abstract: A collation/finishing system is disclosed for use with a very high speed, fully automated reproduction machine having a document handling apparatus, copy sheet processor, and a finishing station. In this arrangement, a sorter bin array is arranged to receive copy sheets on one side and to collate the copy sheets into copy sets corresponding to a multiple page document. A pivotal set transport is arranged to unload completed copy sets on the same side whereat loading takes place. The bin array is indexed in either direction to receive copy sheets during loading or to permit unloading.

Abstract: A wire stitcher for binding sets of sheets has a driver for driving a staple through a set and an active clincher. In one form the clincher has a drive for the clincher ears which is actuated by the driver. The drive is by a spring which is loaded during a return motion of the clincher housing at the completion of a stitching operation. In another form the clincher ear drive is effected by a cam. Both forms are capable of accommodating variations in set thickness essentially without affecting the timing of the operation of the clincher ears.

Abstract: A copy set collecting and storage arrangement is disclosed for a high speed copy reproduction system or duplicator machine having a finishing station. The arrangement includes an elevator for collecting finished copy sets in a stack and a conveyor for receiving one or more stacks from the elevator. Controls are devised for "limitless" finishing wherein the duplicator is placed in Standby, count holding condition when the full storage capacity has been reached and the programmed reproduction run has not been achieved. The controls will effect automatic start-up again when one or more of the stacks have been removed until once again the capacity has been reached and the reproduction run has not been completed.

Abstract: A wire stitcher includes a cutter for cutting a length of wire W from a supply thereof and a stitcher head having a former and driver for forming and driving the length of cut wire for binding a set SS of sheets. The length of cut wire which is presented to the head by a wire advancing and cutting mechanism. The mechanism comprises a first wire gripper, which advances the wire through a fixed distance, and a compensating mechanism comprising a second wire gripper and a cutter block. These are moved towards each other to increase the wire length symetrically relative to the driver as a function of set thickness by an actuator connected to a set clamping device.

Abstract: A wire stitcher includes a cutter for cutting a length of wire from a supply thereof and a stitcher head having a former and driver for forming and driving the length of cut wire for binding a set of sheets. The length of cut wire which is presented to the head by a wire advancing and cutting mechanism is automatically determined in dependence upon the thickness of the set.

Abstract: A sheet collection apparatus for stacking sheets delivered thereto face-up in the order 1 to n with sheet 1 on the top of the stack. The apparatus includes one or more collection trays, such as the bins of a sorter which are indexed past a feed throat. Retractable support arms at the throat support the sheets already in a bin opposite the throat during delivery of a sheet thereto whereby the sheet enters the bin below the support arms.

Abstract: A flexible sheet handling apparatus having particular application to the handling of documents in a copy machine is disclosed. The sheet handling apparatus includes a curved drive surface, a drive for driving the surface, and a curved reaction surface which defines a curved sheet path extending along the drive surface, the reaction surface being out of contact with the drive surface.

Abstract: A wire stitcher for binding sheets into sets in which cut lengths of wire are formed into staples about an anvil by a former and the formed staples are driven by a driver. The wire is gripped against the anvil by the driver during forming and the staple is supported with the aid of the anvil during driving. The driver has a two-stage action in which a first stage motion operates to grip the wire against the anvil during forming, the driver motion being arrested during forming, and a second stage motion acts following forming to effect driving. The movement of the driver and the former is effected by a continuous travel of an input lever.

Abstract: Apparatus for precise center registration of a sheet with respect to a fixed reference line such as the center line in a copier. To accomplish this, a sidewall and an associated sensor move in unison relative to the machine center line. With the sheet registered against the sidewall, the sidewall and the sensor which are maintained equidistant from the machine center line move until the sensor senses the edge of the sheet. The motion is then stopped by a signal from the sensor thereby providing precise center line registered sheets.

Abstract: A method comprising a magnetic brush development system within a photocopier that circulates developer by the use of magnetic rollers includes deflecting members interposed between the rollers that are oscillated laterally to maintain homogeneity of developer circulating over the rollers.

Abstract: Dry toner transfer development of latent electrostatic images is achieved by bringing a developer donor into close proximity to the imaged areas, the donor surface bearing raised microelements of "boat" shape for self-spacing the donor surface from the image surface during development.

Abstract: A wire stitcher for binding sets of sheets has a driver for driving a staple through a set and an active clincher for bending over the ends of the staple legs to form clinches. The clincher includes an ear having a first groove in a side edge for catching the end of a driven staple leg and initiating bending of the leg and a second, narrower groove in an end edge, which is contiguous with the groove and aligns the leg and completes the bending thereof. A transition groove portion connects the grooves at the junction of the edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively increasing the effective frictional force between a retard member and a feed member by making both the feed member and retard member from conductive elastomers, and providing a source of electrical potential to produce an electrical potential between them. A sensor is located downstream of the retard member that will sense a multi-feed of sheets between the pad and retard member. The sensor effects the production of electrical potential thereby increasing the friction between the two members and causing separation of the multi-feed of sheets. The potential is then removed and the frictional forces returned to the original level.

Abstract: An automatic duplicating system in which computer fanfold documents are fed by an automatic handling apparatus having a tractor and drive control system for advancing the document across the platen of the processor for the system. An arrangement is provided which will shut down the system in the event there is a break in the fanfold material during a reproduction run or the end of the document has been attained during normal operation. Sensing devices are utilized in the path of movement of the document and a circuit is provided to produce a train of pulses in accordance with the movement of the document. The frequency of the train of pulses is compared with a reference frequency to insure proper operation.

Abstract: A stapler apparatus having an improved anvil to which staples are applied during a driving operation by a driver member for the apparatus. The anvil is formed with a depression or opening between the clinching grooves and is of size to include the adjacent ends of the grooves. The depression or opening assists in controlling the bonding of the legs of the staple during a stapling operation to prevent re-entry or re-penetration of the legs into a deck of sheets being stapled.

Abstract: A finishing station is arranged whereat stitching or stapling may occur and includes a stapling device having a stapling head and its cooperating anvil arranged for pivotal movement into and out of an active stapling position. A motor driven eccentric linkage effects swinging of the stapling device about a vertical pivot so as to bring the head and anvil into a stapling position relative to a corner of a set being stapled.