Abstract: A plurality of bin units are provided with respective gates and, hence, it is possible to sufficiently narrow the clearance between the gates and the bodies of the bin unit. When the gate provided at each bin unit is expanded to lie toward a conveying path, the front edge of the gate becomes put into a dent portion of a sidewall of an image-forming apparatus. For this reason, any clearance or protrusion causing jamming of recording paper is not formed in a branch path extending from the conveying path to a discharged paper tray through the gate and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper from the conveying path into each bin unit by means of the gate smoothly.

Abstract: In an image forming system, an image forming device and a post-treatment device are provided so as to keep a distance L therebetween, by a positioning member and a transfer relaying device, and the image forming device is connected with the post-treatment device by the transfer relaying device. With this arrangement, a space surrounded by the image forming device, post-treatment device, positioning member, and transfer relaying device is made. On this account, it is possible to provide an image forming system in which an image forming device is coupled with a peripheral unit, which does not require cumbersome operations to make a space between the image forming device and the peripheral unit, on the occasion of carrying out unjamming treatment between the image forming device and the peripheral unit.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes: a multiple number of paper feed cassettes arranged abreast at approximately the same level in the sheet feed direction. These paper feed cassettes are formed into a unibody structure so that they can be pulled out altogether. The more upstream a paper feed cassette is located with respect to the sheet feed direction, the higher the level of the upper surface of the paper feed cassette is arranged. This arrangement affords a space over the downstream paper feed cassette, in which a feed path for recording paper picked up from a paper feed cassette located on the upstream side can be arranged.

Abstract: Part of the space occupied by a conveying device (guides) for conveying sheets and part of the space occupied upon movement of a post-processing device (stapler) for achieving a post-process over the sheets on the post-processing tray (post-processing sheet stacking table) are adapted to share the same space.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device is provided which includes a post-processing tray on which sheets of paper supplied from an image forming device are stacked, and a post-processing section for applying a post-processing operation to edges of one side of the sheets of paper stacked on the post-processing tray. The device further includes a first feed-out opening for discharging, to outside, the sheets of paper having been subject to the post-processing operation, a first discharge transport path for transporting the sheets of paper from the post-processing tray to the first feed-out opening, and a feed-out section for discharging the post-processed sheets of paper from the post-processing tray to the first discharge transport path.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes: a multiple number of paper feed cassettes arranged abreast at approximately the same level in the sheet feed direction. These paper feed cassettes are formed into a unibody structure so that they can be pulled out altogether. The more upstream a paper feed cassette is located with respect to the sheet feed direction, the higher the level of the upper surface of the paper feed cassette is arranged. This arrangement affords a space over the downstream paper feed cassette, in which a feed path for recording paper picked up from a paper feed cassette located on the upstream side can be arranged.

Abstract: Part of the space occupied by a conveying device (guides) for conveying sheets and part of the space occupied upon movement of a post-processing device (stapler) for achieving a post-process over the sheets on the post-processing tray (post-processing sheet stacking table) are adapted to share the same space.

Abstract: A plurality of bin units 91 forming a bin unit assembly are provided with respective gates 97 and, hence, it is possible to sufficiently narrow the clearance between the gates 97 and the bodies of the bin unit 91. When the gate 97 provided at each bin unit 91 is expanded to lie toward a conveying path 93, the front edge of the gate 97 becomes put into a dent portion 92a of a sidewall 92 of an image-forming apparatus 1. For this reason, any clearance or protrusion causing jamming of recording paper is not formed in a branch path extending from the conveying path 92 to a discharged paper tray 99 through the gate 97 and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper from the conveying path into each bin unit 91 by means of the gate 97 smoothly.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device of the present invention includes a jam-disposal mechanism for moving a moving section which is provided opposite to a staple tray to the outside of the device. That is, in the sheet post-processing device, since a portion of the moving section can be moved to the outside, it is possible to form a space in front of the staple tray. Thus, it is easy to perform the jam-disposal by using the space. Further, since the staple tray is not moved in forming the space, consistency of placed sheets is not lost. Further, since it is not required that a space to perform the jam-disposal is prepared inside the device in advance, it is easy to miniaturize the device. Thus, the sheet post-processing device of the present invention is a compact sheet post-processing device by which the jam-disposal can be performed without losing the consistency of a sheet bundle placed on the staple tray.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device comprises a feed-in opening through which sheets of paper fed out of a copying machine are supplied, a staple tray on which the sheets of paper to be stapled are stacked, a stapler for stapling the sheets of paper stacked on the staple tray, a feed-out opening for discharging the stapled sheets of paper, and a plurality of paths for transporting the sheets of paper from the feed-in opening, to the staple tray, and further to the feed-out opening. The sheet post-processing device is further characterized in that the feed-in opening is positioned not higher than a position of an upper edge of the post-processing tray and not lower than a position of a lower edge of the post-processing tray. With this arrangement, the sheet post-processing device can be arranged so as to have smaller limitation on positions of the post-processing tray and the feed-in opening in the sheet post-processing device.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device comprises a feed-in opening through which sheets of paper fed out of a copying machine are supplied, a staple tray on which the sheets of paper to be stapled are stacked, a stapler for stapling the sheets of paper stacked on the staple tray, a feed-out opening for discharging the stapled sheets of paper, and a plurality of paths for transporting the sheets of paper from the feed-in opening, to the staple tray, and further to the feed-out opening. The sheet post-processing device is further characterized in that the feed-in opening is positioned not higher than a position of an upper edge of the post-processing tray and not lower than a position of a lower edge of the post-processing tray. With this arrangement, the sheet post-processing device can be arranged so as to have smaller limitation on positions of the post-processing tray and the feed-in opening in the sheet post-processing device.

Abstract: In order to provide a sheet postprocessing device which positively prevents an uneven image from occurring without using any means that spoil the appearance when a set of sheets is ejected onto the ejection tray, and which stacks sets of sheets without disarray, in the present invention, after sheets have been ejected from the copying machine and have been subjected to a stapling operation that is one of postprocessing operations, the sheets are ejected onto an offset tray by an ejection roller. The ejecting rollers are provided with a lifting mechanism for lifting the leading portion of the set of stapled sheets with regard to the ejecting direction.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device of the present invention conducts post processing on sheets and then ejects the sheets on an offset tray. Upon the ejection, the sheets are sorted by a sorting drive section reciprocating the offset tray horizontally. The sheets are aligned at the trailing edges thereof by a plurality of sheet edge stopper columns erected freely rotatable. The offset tray is moved vertically along the sheet edge stopper columns by, for example, a lifting and lowering motor. Friction rollers are provided as linking means for rotating the sheet edge stopper columns in accordance with a horizontal movement of the offset tray. As to the horizontal movement and a vertical movement of the offset tray, the friction rollers transmit a driving force to the sheet edge stopper columns only when the offset tray is moved horizontally. Consequently, the stack disturbance of the sheets can be prevented both when the offset tray is moved horizontally and when the offset tray is moved vertically.

Abstract: A sheet ejecting mechanism is provided with a sheet ejecting sensor which detects a sheet to be ejected onto an offset tray and an upper-surface position-regulating section which regulates the position of the upper surface of the sheets in accordance with the position of an arm which is in contact with the upper surface of the sheets on the offset tray. When the sheet ejecting sensor detects a sheet to be ejected, a CPU of the upper-surface position-regulating section turns on a solenoid so as to remove a contact between an arm and the upper surface of the sheets. Meanwhile, when the sheet ejecting sensor detects no sheet to be ejected, the CPU turns off the solenoid. With this operation, the arm is allowed to come into contact with the upper surface of the sheets so as to regulate the position of the upper surface of the sheets.

Abstract: A vacuum high-speed feeding apparatus equipped structure for moving suction nozzles attached to a cylindrical body towards sheet feeding rollers. The application of suction force is suspended upon detection that a drawn sheet has been caught and its conveyance has been stated by feeding rollers. This is done by detection of a leading edge of the sheet by a first sensor. The cylindrical body is restored to its home position when feeding of the sheet by a given distance is detected by a second sensor. The suction force is again applied when passage of the rear edge of the sheet through the feeding rollers is detected by the first sensor.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus of uncomplicated structure which can be easily controlled and does not require the necessity of a large motor is implemented at low cost without undergoing the lowering of an attracting force, air leakage and paper contamination. To the outer circumferential surface of a drum-shaped cylinder with air holes are attached, ring-shaped collar having respective air holes and following conveyance elements. The cylinder is inserted through the ring-shaped collars and the following conveyance elements. Each following conveyance element includes a bearing covered with a cover to prevent paper contamination. The bearing is secured to the cylinder by the securing action of the collars.