Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a memory for storing an image information of each page; an image forming device for recording an image onto a recording sheet for each page on the basis of the image information in the memory; a recording sheet conveyor for conveying a recording sheet to the image forming device to record an image on one side thereof, and after that, conveying again the recording sheet to the image forming device to record an image on another side thereof, with no recording sheet being stacked during conveyance, and the recording sheet being conveyed along a specified conveyance path, and a predetermined maximum number of recording sheets can exist within the specified conveyance path.

Abstract: A copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeding device has a document stacker on which a plurality of documents can be stacked, a feeding section in which a sheet of document is separated from plural documents stacked on the document stacker and is fed to an image reading section, a conveyance section in which the document fed to the image reading section is conveyed and is stopped at a predetermined image reading position and then the document, after being read, is conveyed, and a sheet-ejecting section which is located at the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the image feeding section and ejects the document fed out of the conveyance section to a delivery tray. A document trailing edge detector is provided on the document stacker, a pass of the trailing edge of the last document on the document stacker is detected, and detection signals therefrom are sent to a main body of the copying machine to control a sheet feeding of the sheet feeding section of the copying machine.

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 recording sheet finishing apparatus connected with an image forming apparatus, in which recording sheets delivered from the image forming apparatus are stapled and the stapled sheets are ejected. The apparatus includes a plurality of stackers each having at least one stapler. The apparatus further includes a control means in which the recording sheets delivered from the image forming apparatus are stapled alternately by the staplers for each set of recording sheets and after that, each of the stapled set of recording sheets are delivered from the stapler to a delivery sheet tray, where a conveyor belt which transports the stack is operated at two different speeds with an initial speed followed by a faster speed to prevent damage to the stack.

Abstract: A copying machine is equipped with an automatic document feeder, which separates documents in a document storing section and feeds them one by one onto a platen glass. The documents are stopped at an exposure position by a document conveyance stopper, where they are exposed and scanned by an exposure scanning device, and then delivered to a document delivery tray. A sensor is provided in a feeding path of the document feeder, for detecting a leading edge or a trailing edge of the document. A delaying device for delaying a drive source stopping signal of the document conveyance stopper is outputted after a predetermined period of time has passed, or after a predetermined number of pulses have been counted after the document leading or trailing edge signal outputted from the sensor has been received. A detection device detects the documents actual stopping position and a signal is output after the drive source stopping signal of the document conveyance stopper has been generated.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting recording sheets after image recording by an image forming apparatus is disclosed here. The sorter is provided with a plurality of bins arrayed along a main path of the recording sheet, a plurality of change over gates to guide the recording sheet from the main path to a selected bin, a conveyance mechanism to convey the recording sheet through the main path to the selected bin, a plurality of pinch rollers dispersively located near the gates and the bins to press the recording sheet onto a conveyance surface of a conveyor belt of the conveyance mechanism and a member to back up the conveyor belt from the pressure of the pinch rollers.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus of linkage type, which sorts a plurality of recorded sheets which are ejected from an image forming apparatus. The apparatus has at least two sorters, a plurality of bins and a stapling unit in each sorter respectively to store a stack of recorded sheets sorted as a copy set and to staple each stack of recorded sheets and guide means to guide each recorded sheet to a bin of a sorter allocated by controlling means. The controlling means selects at least two sorters for making the copy sets larger in number then a predetermined number. The second sorter receives sheets even though some trays of the first sorter are left unused.

Abstract: A paper feed device and method for separating sheets of paper one by one from the bottom of a stack of paper loaded on a paper loading tray and for feeding the separated paper sheets consecutively. The feed device includes a rotatable hollow cylinder having a peripheral surface positioned below and close to the front end of the paper loading tray in the direction of paper sheet feed, and having an opening for drawing a paper sheet against the peripheral surface by vacuum suction. The vacuum suction is variable to set the suction pressure at the low level at the start of a paper sheet feed operation by the cylinder means, and if, after the predetermined time interval, the passage of the paper sheet is not detected, the vacuum suction pressure is increased to a higher level and maintained at the higher level to feed successive paper sheets. A paper sheet front end sensor, a conveyor, and a timer for setting a predetermined time interval after the start of a paper sheet operation, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document handling apparatus for use in a copying machine which separates a document from the bottom of a stack of documents on a loading plate to an exposure location, feeds back the document onto the top of the stack after exposure. The document handling apparatus has a separator arm fixed to a rotatable shaft which is driven intermittently by a drive system. The separator arm contacts the top surface of the stack of documents to be fed to the exposure location with the weight of the arm, loads the documents having been returned from the exposure location on the separator arm, moves downwardly with the circulation of the documents until being released from the bottom of the stack of the documents. A partially toothed gear of the drive system is mounted on a rotatable shaft which is geared with the pinion gear to rotate the rotatable arm in its toothed circumferential portion and is free from the pinion gear out of the toothed circumferential portion.

Abstract: A document ejection device for a document conveyor having a document ejecting roller to eject a document sheet from the document conveyor to the outside of the conveyor, and ejecting speed reduction device which reduces the ejecting speed of the document sheet after the document is passed through the ejecting roller. The ejecting speed reduction device has a reduction roller rotating at a circumferential speed lower than the ejecting speed of the document, and a pressing panel or following roller to press the document onto the reduction roller.

Abstract: A recorded sheet handling apparatus includes an intermediate holding section as a stacker for holding a set of recorded sheets externally fed one by one and stacked in a feeding order, a handling unit for selectively punching and/or stapling the set of recorded sheets held in the intermediate holding section at a holding position, a storage tray for storing the handled recorded sheets, first convey rollers for conveying the recorded sheets prior to handling to the intermediate holding section, and second convey rollers for conveying the handled recorded sheets to the storage tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting recording mediums, the apparatus adapted for use in combination with an image forming device having a transport section for carrying recording mediums discharged from the image forming device, includes a plurality of bins for accommodating the recording mediums, gate members provided one for each bin for opening and closing a transport passage for the recording mediums, and drive devices provided for driving the gate members. The drive devices each consist of a cam mounted on a rotary shaft which may be rotated reversibly for actuating the gate member, and a detection and control section for detecting the position of the cam.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for feeding a paper in which there are provided a stacker for placing a stack of papers and threefold cylinder for separating the lowermost paper by vacuum suction from the stack of papers placed on the stacker and sequentially feeding the separated paper one by one. The threefold cylinder is disposed below the stacker in the vicinity of the leading edge of the stacker in relation to the feeding direction. And, the threefold cylinder includes a first cylinder rotatable and provided with a number of through holes on the circumferential surface; a second cylinder, installed inside the first cylinder, provided with a slit-shaped opening on the circumferential surface; a third cylinder, installed inside the second cylinder, provided with a slit-shaped opening on the circumferential surface thereof. The third cylinder is connected to vacuum suction.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus wherein a document is separated one by one and fed onto a platen glass and subjected to exposure the outside of the document to light, and thereafter the surface of the document is reversed by a reversible rotational mechanism and again moved onto the platen glass to expose the inside of the document.

Abstract: A copy paper processing apparatus wherein a set of copy papers supplied sheet by sheet from the outside while overlaying them are selectively punched by a puncher and stapled by a stapler and punch pins of the puncher are pulled out after the stapling operation is ended.